Saturday, November 24, 2012 by GLOBAL MEDIA MIRROR LIMITED

Oyerinde: Police affirm DPP report on Ugolor

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20 ladies slaughtered in Maiduguri ...for wearing mini–skirts, trousers JTF declares 19 suspects wanted

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SWORN–IN AT LAST!

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Promises N.3bn reward

...Why SSS can’t arrest Modu-Sherrif –Investigation P. 6 INSIDE

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L-R: Newly sworn in Justice of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ifeoma Jumbo-Ofor; Justice of the Court of Appeal, Justice Onyekachi Otisi and the husband of the newly sworn in Justice, Dr. Nkemka, after the swearing in of Justice Ifeoma Jumbo-Ofor in Abuja, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

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•Tension politically motivated, says Jonathan

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How to solve Nigeria’s religious crises –Tony Blair

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Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

November 24, 2012

Oyerinde: Police affirm DPP report on Ugolor

•Prosecute suspects arrested by SSS for the murder SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN

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Beware! That Tokunbo treasure may be your death

he report issued by the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) in the Edo State Ministry of Justice, which exonerated human rights activist and Executive Director of the African Network on Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), Rev. David Ugolor of complicity in

the death of Comrade Olaitan Oyerinde, the late Principal Private Secretary to Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, has been affirmed as correct by the Nigeria Police Force. Police image maker, CSP Frank Mba, made this clarification on Friday in an exclusive telephone interview with Saturday Mirror on the murder of Oyerinde. CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

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Tribunal: PDP, ACN trade tackles over native doctor Story on Page 12

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Bubble bursts for courier who hides heroin in TV transformers

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Blame povertystricken background for my crime – Suspect

Police officer rapes nursing mother at police station CHRIS NJOKU OWERRI

he Imo State Police Command is currently investigating an alleged case of rape involving a police officer and a nursing mother. The police officer, whose name was given as Corporal Chigozie Odenigbo, was accused of raping one Mrs. Maureen Ayalebechi on November 10, 2012 on the premises of a police station at Umuguma, Owerri West Local Government Area. Mrs. Ayalebechi, who hails from Umukabi Okpalla in Ngor Okpalla Local Government Area, was said to be returning from a Church crusade on the unfortunate day. She decided to locate her brother’s residence at World Bank , Umuguma in Owerri Local Government Area of the state, but was unable to locate the place before it became so dark that she could not safely return home. It was gathered that she decided to take refuge at the police station believing that the place was save for her to pass the night.

As she approached the police station, she saw two officers and begged them to allow her to pass the night at the police station because she could not continue the search for her brother’s house. After her explanation, one of the police officers, Chigozie Odenigbo, offered to assist her. He offered to take her to a room where mosquitoes would not bite her and her seven month old baby. But the story changed soon after, according to Mrs. Ayalebechi. “I thanked him and followed him immediately. But to my surprise, I was hit from behind by the police officer and before I knew what was happening, he flung my baby away and continued beat me. “I became weak as a result of the beating and he held my neck and mouth to stop me from shouting before he raped me,” she narrated. According to her after the police corporal was done with her, he helped her to pick up her baby before leading them back to the station.“When we got back, the lady police officer who was at the

station when the corporal took me away was shocked to notice how tattered I was and tried to find out what happened. But the police corporal tried to deceive her by denying what he had done.” Mrs. Ayalebechi managed to get the name of the police corporal and waited patiently until the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) got to the office in the morning. It was learnt that after laying

her complainant, the shocked DPO ordered the detention of Corporal Odenigbo after investigating Mrs. Anyabelechi’s claim. Commenting on the case, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Vitalis Onugu, said that “the accused police corporal is undergoing administrative trial, adding that if he is found culpable, he will be dismissed.”

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

November 24, 2012

Saturday Starter

Corrupt officers

Under pain of death Corruption, that hydra-headed monster, is regarded as a common denominator among the country’s political class, public office holders and men of power. Several efforts to stem it have, however, been considered by many to be swaddled in kid gloves notwithstanding the establishment of anti-corruption agencies. Perhaps, it is this seeming reluctance by various administrations at all levels to fight corruption that drove the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) to propose the death penalty for people found guilty of corruption in Nigeria. Though the general attitude of the international community towards capital punishment is generally unfavourable, if this is eventually accepted by the National Assembly, Nigeria will join countries like China, Indonesia and Singapore which use capital punishment to deter their ligh-fingered officials from dipping their hands into the till. Can capital punishment for corruption work in Nigeria? The debate continues.

TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE, THOMAS USHIE

oremost northern political group, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) recently recommended capital punishment for corruption. This was contained in the ACF’s proposal submitted to the National Assembly. The group rued the destructive impact of corruption on the country and said that anybody found guilty of corruption should be killed. The forum said: “The law classifies crimes according to the severity of their consequences both on the individual victim, the community or the country. If crime holds a high potential to gravely harm or kill its victim, the more severe the punishment, which was designed to punish and deter offenders. “This is to say that punishment must always fit offences. One crime that has proved capable of gravely harming or killing its victim, Nigeria, is corruption. “Sadly, our laws have not recognised corruption for what it is. ACF recommends that corruption be recognised as a capital offence and made to carry capital punishment.” The ACF’s proposal has expectedly drawn reactions from Nigerians with the reactions coming in varied forms. The reactions are in a three-thronged fork. While some, like the proponents of the proposal are wholeheartedly for it, others are seriously against such a proposition; the third party is, however, ambivalent.

Only few notable Nigerians have been tried and sentenced for corruption. Former governor of Delta State, James Ibori, is currently serving a jail term in London for economic crimes. Ex-governor of Edo State, Lucky Igbnedion, was similarly tried, convicted and fined N3.5m by an Enugu High court in December 2008. The judgment, which enraged the public as a slap-on-the-wrist, followed a plea-bargain deal between the former governor and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission which saw 191 charges preferred against Igbinedion reduced to just one. A chieftain of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Olabode George, was also convicted for corruption while serving as the chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Ports Authority. Before this was Mr Tafa Balogun, a former Inspector General of Police who was sentenced to six months imprisonment for corruption. But a pertinent question is: are these the only Nigerian political office holders or government officials tried for corruption? Prof Itsey Sagay seems to have an answer when he said: “We all know about cases of many former governors charged for corrupt practices after they left office and nothing has happened to them in the last seven to eight years after being charged to court. They are all on bail and we have forgotten the fact that they were charged to court. So the issue is not the gravity of the judgement but the will to prosecute.”

November 24, 2012

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Saturday Starter

Tried and convicted

Tafa Balogun

ustafa Adebayo Balogun, popularly known by his abridged name of Tafa Balogun was the Inspector General of Police (IGP) from March 2002 when he reeled out what was celebrated on the surface – his “eight point crime control strategy” – among which was “Anti-corruption crusade both within and outside the force.” And while outside the force, the anticorruption crusade was seemingly being fought, it reached a pandemic stage within the force when it was discovered that the number one cop at that time, was a personification of corruption.

This discovery signalled the fall of Tafa Balogun. Not even his degrees in Political Science and Law could act as checks and balances on his geometrical progression in corruption. He practically turned the Louis Edet Force Headquarters Abuja, into a corporate headquarters for his corruption business as allegedly bribe monies and kick backs from politicians, business men, criminals, were transacted there with reckless abandon. Sadly for him, it came to an end in January 2005 when he was forced to retire due to allegations of corruption. But the allegations turned to reality when

the EFCC under the administration of Nuhu Ribadu arraigned Tafa Balogun before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on April 5, 2005 over allegations of stealing between January 2000 and February 2005 of a sum of N12,861,570,098.00. On 22November, 2005, the anti graft campaign made its major catch when Balogun pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six months imprisonment and a fine of N500,000. In his humble acceptance of the sentence, Inspector General Tafa Balogun (Rtd.) said that “life is full of challenges, it has its ups and down. I was up yesterday, I am down today but I will bounce back.”

Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion

Igbinedion

orn on May 13, 1957, Lucky Igbinedion was the governor of Edo State from May 29, 1999 to May 29, 2007 on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Lucky Igbinedion was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and charged before a Federal High Court sitting in Enugu on a 191 count. However, before he was convicted on December 17, 2008, the charges were narrowed down to one count. Igbinedion pleaded guilty to the one count charge which was the “fruit” of the plea bargain he entered into with the government and

was sentenced by the presiding judge, Justice Abdul Tafarati, to a fine of N3.5 million. Again, on 30 January, 2011, he was declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following fresh discoveries that he fraudulently diverted Afribank shares valued at $6.2 million (N961m) and Access Bank Plc shares valued at $775, 000 (N120m) all belonging to Edo State, among other fresh graft allegations totalling about N25 billion, for his personal use. And again, the law smiled and Lucky was very lucky as a Federal High Court, Benin City presided by Justice Adamu Hobon declared that it would be against the principle of

Balogun

justice to retry him having been convicted earlier of the same crime. “The only natural conclusion left open upon the totality of evidence is that there was indeed a plea bargain between the commission (the EFCC) and first accused upon which all previous charges against him were dropped and the first accused cannot now be called upon to answer or stand trial in the strength of the same charges for which he has been tried and convicted through the plea bargain. Doing otherwise would amount to putting the first accused person/applicant in double jeopardy,” the judgement reads in part.

Bode George

orn Olabode Ibiyinka George, immediately after the Second World War in 1945, Bode George has fought several wars not only as a military officer but as an administrator, over corruption accusations. He holds a Master of Business Administration and retired from the service of the Nigerian Navy as a Commodore. His political career started while in service when he was appointed the Military Governor of the old Ondo State in 1988. When the erstwhile second in command to the Late General Sani Abacha, General Oladipo Diya (rtd.) was Chief of General Staff between 1993 and 1997, he appointed George as his Principal Staff Officer. His administrative profiles continue to swell when he later assumed the position of the Director of the Nigerian National War College (NWC). However, the foregoing positions were not without taints. The defunct African Concorde magazine once reported that George, while in office as the Military Governor of Ondo State between 1998 and 1980, “treated the state budget as his own, spending lavishly and handing out inflated contracts in return for large kick-backs.” Also in July 2002, the former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu averred that Bode George needed to face a criminal tribunal over his activity in Ondo State. He said “Bode George and his fellow travellers who believe in military arbitrariness have to be told in clear terms that their time has passed, we are

under democracy now.” George, while presiding over the Board of the Nigerian Ports Authority, according to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), “treated the NPA budget and contract awards as his own”. The Nuhu Ribadu-led EFCC investigated the activities of the NPA under the chairmanship of George and indicted him of contract splitting among other allegations but the long arms of the law could not catch up with him when the then President, Olusegun Obasanjo, dismissed the findings as inconclusive, and ordered another investigation. The second EFCC report cleared

James Ibori

Ibori

Bode George. But justice was only delayed. In August 2008, the EFCC under the chairmanship of Farida Waziri and in the administration of the Late President Umaru Yar’Adua, arrested the “Lagos Boy”, George, in Lagos and arraigned him and four others on a 163 count-charge of conspiracy, disobedience to lawful order, abuse of office and alleged illegal award of contracts worth N84 billion while he was chairman of the NPA. The charge was later reduced to 63 counts. Finally, in October 2009, the one time national vice-chairman, South-West, of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Gorge, was sentenced to a 30 month jail

rosecutor Sasha Wass’ description of Ibori at the start of his two-day sentencing at Southwark Crown Court in London, on 17 April, 2012, aptly captured the “unique” persona of Chief James Onanefe Ibori an erstwhile governor of the oil-rich Delta State from 1999 to 2007, as a man who, “From starting off as a petty thief with his hand in the till at Wickes, who could not afford his monthly mortgage repayments,” “ended up as a property tycoon who led the lifestyle of royalty,” basking and revelling in corruption and corruptly acquired wealth. A graduate of Economics and Statistics from the University of Benin, Ibori started his working career with Mobil Oil Nigeria Limited and was later sec-

George

term by Justice Joseph Olubunmi Oyewole of the Lagos High Court.

onded to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as one of the pioneer staff assembled to develop the marketing department of the corporation’s Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company. In the 1980’s Ibori moved to London where he met his heartthrob and partner in crime, Theresa. In 1990, the couple were arrested for theft at Wickes DIY store in Ruislip, Middlesex, where Ibori was working as a cashier. They were fined £300. Again, in 1991, he was convicted of handling a stolen credit card, and fined £100. He returned to Nigeria and served as a consultant to the Federal Government on Public Policy Formulation and ImplemenCONTINUED ON PAGE 5

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

November 24, 2012

Saturday Starter

‘We should enforce existing laws’ Prof Itsey Sagay, constutional lawyer

“M

y view is that we should enforce the laws that we have now, which are not being enforced. We have various laws, which provide sentences between 3-21 years for various types of corruption but those laws are not implemented. We all know about cases of many former governors charged for corrupt practices after they left office and nothing has happened to them in the last seven to eight years after being charged to court. They are all on bail and we have forgotten the fact that they were charged to court. So the issue is not the gravity

of the judgement but the will to prosecute. That will is not there. And if you increase the tempo to capital punishment, the will will be reduced because they will now rationalise it by saying if follow to the logical end, a life could come to an end and that is too severe and risky supposing at the end of the day that person turns out to be innocent, can you bring him back? So, we have all kind of arguments being brought forward. I don’t support the death sentence. Let us make use of what we have now. The solution to corruption is to have

the right will to prosecute. At present, there is no will to prosecute corrupt public office holders to logical conclusion. It is high time corrupt officials were arrested, prosecuted and sent to jail. If we start sending people to jail corruption will drop. If there is consequence of being corrupt people will stop being corrupt. If big men, senators, House of Representatives members and ministers, start going to jail let us say for about five years and forfeiting all their properties in the process. By the time we have about 10 people going to jail, there would be reduction in corruption.

Sagay

‘Corruption can no longer be tolerated’

‘Yes, if it will bring sanity to the system’

Alhaji Balarabe Musa, former governor of Kaduna State

Mr. Fred Agbaje, human rights activist and lawyer

believe we should first examine the situation in the country before we arive on the issue of capital punishment for any corrupt officials. That will be inevitable. We cannot call for a capital punishment just because we want to address problem of corruption. We have to access the state of the nation and agreed on what to do to reduce corruption because of its effect on the country. The level of corruption has eaten deep into the fabric of the system and it can no longer be tolerated because of its effect on the nation. The level of corruption and waste in public offices has gone so far that it has crippled government. What we need to examine is how corruption has crippled the government without nothing being done and therefore, what should be done. After that we may arrive at inevitable mean of capital punishment. We should not talk about capital punishment simply because other countries have tried to solve their corruption problem with capital punishment. Let us examine the situation so that even if we arrive at capital punishment, people will understand that it is not because we want to do what other countries are doing but because the stealing has lasted so long and its effect on the state of the nation.

Agbaje

support death penalty for corrupt officials if it would bring sanity to the system and address the situation in the country. The rate at which people get involved in corruption is on the increase and more people are now involved in it with impunity. It is increasing because many people have been taken to court without conviction. Therefore, if death penalty will serve as deterrent, so be it.

With the capital punishment, the stolen money will be forfeited to the Federal Government, so the relatives of the person killed as a result of corruption will have nothing to hold on to. If the capital punishment is adopted, I am sure that out of the 36 governors about 34 out of them at the end of the day will have their fate hanging and they may have to face the death squad.”

‘It is denial of offender’s right to life’ Debo Adeniran, Executive Chairman, Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (CACOL)

eath penalty is a denial of the offender’s right to life. It is barbaric in the modern world notwithstanding it worked in Ghana and some Asian countries etc. Such penalty presupposes that neither the accusers nor the trial judge could make mistakes. And if it turns out that a mistake was made while the culprit had been executed it can never be reversed. The country would have lost its property and a fraction of its workforce. As much as we are worried about the recalcitrance of corruption culprits in Nigeria, death penalty cannot solve the problem. It would reduce the frequency no doubt, but corrupt criminals may become more brazen in their game. They will steal so large so they will feel

comfortable dying for their progeny to remember them to have made eternal wealth for them. Rather than kill them, those convicted of corruption should lose, not only the direct proceeds of corruption they are found guilty of, but also whatever wealth and property they might have accumulated in their lifetime to the state. They should in addition be jailed for the rest of their life without an option of fines. Not only that, they should be made to engage in productive activities by making them practice their profession or their trades behind the bars. If they cannot practice directly they should teach other prisoners or learn a trade that will make them participate in community service.

Adeniran

James Ibori CONTINUED FROM 4

Musa

tation, under the Late General Sani Abacha’s military regime between 1994 and 1997. In this capacity, he submitted to the Federal Government a national drug policy which formed the basis of Decree 3 of 1995 and which gave birth to the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Drug Matters. Yet, his passion for crime continued unabated when in 1999, Ibori took out a mortgage on a property in Abbey Road, London. To mask his previous convictions in the UK, he obtained a false birth certificate and then passport, medically impossible as it was dated a month after his younger sisters birth date. As governor, he fought many legal battles to keep his seat.

These battles gave him the opportunity to be so vested in legal and judicial politicking in Nigeria, which eventually helped him to wade through charges of corruption after he left office. And as Wass observed, “from the moment Ibori was elected, he set about enriching himself at the expense of some of the poorest people in the world. His greed increased exponentially during his governorship, as did his arrogance,” acquiring choice properties all over the world. Having been arraigned and given a clean bill by the Nigerian judiciary, Ibori, was arraigned in the UK were he pleaded guilty to 10 corruption charges, admitting to stealing Delta State people’s money to the tune of about 50 million pounds.

NATIONAL NEWS

November 24, 2012

Terrorism: 20 miniskirt-wearing ladies slaughtered in Maiduguri INUSA NDAHI MAIDUGURI

arely 24 hours after ten people were slaughtered in Maiduguri, twenty ladies who were said to be fond of wearing mini-skirts and trousers were yesterday slaughtered in their separate homes in Maiduguri metropolis, Borno State, by yet to be identified gunmen. The development is a clear departure from the past when men and security agents were the prime targets of terrorists.

But indication to the present development came during the week when information went round to the effect that women and ladies who fond of wearing indecent dresses on the streets of Maiduguri would soon become targets of attack. The argument, the information said, was that the dressing pattern does not conform with Sharia Law. The slaughtering of the twenty different ladies, our correspondent gathered, took place in the early hours of Friday at about 1 a.m. and 2 a.m.

when most of residents were fast asleep in their houses. A source who does not want his name mentioned told our correspondent that the most hit areas were Mary wards, few meters away from the University of Maiduguri. The area has been one of the places accommodating students of the institution living off- campus due to accommodation shortage. Also affected, according to investigation, were ladies living close to the black spots areas of Gwange, London Chiki,

Abbagaram, Kaleri areas where series of killings and bomb blasts had occurred in the past. When contacted on phone, both the JTF spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Sagir Musa, and the Police Commissioner, Mr. Yuguda Abdullahi ,said that they were not in Maiduguri at the moment to confirm the incident. But a top JTF Commander, according to a source, said he had directed his men to the affected areas on Friday morning to evacuate the remains of the victims.

Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo and outgoing Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Nigeria, Khaled Adbrabuh, during a courtesy visit to the Vice President at the State House, yesterday.

...Why SSS can’t arrest Modu-Sherrif –Investigation OMEIZA AJAYI

he State Security Service (SSS) and the Department of State Service (DSS) may not immediately quiz former governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu-Sherrif, over recent accusations of establishing and funding the Islamist sect, Boko Haram, Saturday Mirror checks have revealed. Although there have been calls for the arrest of the former governor recently, Saturday Mirror’s findings revealed that the State Security Service has no concrete evidence upon which to arrest the former senator. “He needed to be questioned but I decided to dig deeper and found out that he really has no case like

that to answer. “I used to think the same way as many Nigerians too, but on digging deeper, I discovered that there are no strong grounds on which to quiz the man”, said a security source who would not want his name mentioned because he was not authorised to disclose such information. According to him, ModuSherrif had lost two of his family members in recent times courtesy of some hoodlums who are suspected to be members of the sect. “I can tell you that two of his close family members have been killed by this Boko Haram people. So, he is afraid too. It’s like the case of the Frankenstein monster. In fact, he really has no case to answer”, stated the source. According to him, Modu-

Sherrif is also running for his dear life as of now. The source added: “He is not safe in Maiduguri too. He is not safe with the sect. So, he is caught in between.” According to him, the SSS will not hesitate to pick up anybody that it suspects has a link with terrorist activities in the country. Deputy Director, Public Relations of the SSS, Marilyn Ogar, could not be reached for confirmation as she did not respond to telephone enquiries. Last month, the Joint Taskforce (JTF) in Maiduguri arrested an alleged Boko Haram kingpin, Shu’aibu Muhammad Bama, who is said to have an uncle in the Senate. The JTF had claimed that they arrested Bama in the house of Senator Ahmed Khalifa Zanna on Damboa Road in the Gov-

ernment Residential Area of Maiduguri, a development which prompted the SSS to invite the senator for questioning in Abuja. Zanna was said to have been asked to explain his relationship with his sister’s son, Bama, but in the course of interrogation, the senator had reportedly indicted his former governor, Ali Modu-Sherrif, whom he later dislodged from the Senate in last year’s election. Zanna attributed the bad blood existing between him and Modu-Sheriff to his victory in last year’s senatorial election, as well as his call in a BBC Hausa interview for the withdrawal of the military Joint Task Force (JTF) from the troubled city. Early this month, there was a purported offer by one Abu Mohammed Ibn Abdulazeez giving conditions for a ceasefire on behalf of the sect.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

...JTF declares 19 suspects wanted •Promises N.3bn as reward INUSA NDAHI

he fight against terrorism entered a new phase yesterday with the Joint Task Force, Operation Restore Order, Maiduguri, Borno State, declaring some suspected members of Jama’atul Ahlis Sunnah Lidda’awati Wal Jihad, popularly called Boko Haram, wanted. Huge sums of money were placed on them as reward for whoever is able to supply information that could lead to their arrest. The suspect, the JTF said, are wanted in connection with terrorist activities, particularly, in the North-East zone of Nigeria, that led to killings, bombings and assassination of some civilians. Those killed include religious leaders, traditional rulers, businessmen, politicians, civil servants and security personnel amongst others. They are also wanted for arson and destruction of properties worth millions of naira. Those declared wanted

and the amount placed on them are: Abubakar Shekau, N50 million; Habibu Yusuf (a.k.a Asalafi), N25 million; Khalid Albarnawai, N25 million; Momodu Bama, N25 million; Mohammed Zangina, N25 million; Abu Saad, N10 million; Abba Kaka; N10 million; Abdulmalik Bama, N10 million; Umar Fulata, N10 million; Alhaji Mustapha (Massa) Ibrahim, N10 million and Abubakar Suleiman-Habu (a.k.a Khalid), N10 million. Others are Hassan Jazair, N10 million; Ali Jalingo, N10 million; Alhaji Musa Modu, N10 million; Bashir Aketa, N10 million; Abba Goroma, N10 million; Ibrahim Bashir, N10 million; Abubakar Zakariya, N10 million and Tukur Ahmed Mohammed, N10 million. While giving the assurance that identities of informants would be protected, anyone with relevant information is directed to contact the security agency on the following telephone lines: 08064174066, 070855464012, and 08154429345.

Praises as Olanipekun donates auditorium to UI TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE

minent Nigerians, especially those in the legal profession have commended former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and Pro Chancellor/Chairman of Council, University of Ibadan (UI), Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), for donating a modern auditorium/ lecture theatre to the Faculty of Law of UI. Speaking at the commissioning of the 400-seater architectural masterpiece, built on a large piece of land at Ajibode, a suburb of the university auditorium, the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufai; the first female SAN in Nigeria, Chief (Mrs) Folake So-

lanke (SAN); Ekiti State born legal icon. Mr. Dele Adesina (SAN); UI Vice Chancellor, Prof Isaac Folorunsho Adewole, among others commended Olanipekun for his philanthropic gesture to the university. The Minister of Education, while extolling Olanipekun’s virtues as a natural giver, urged all privileged Nigerians and organisations to emulate his good gesture. “This that you have done for this university will go down in history as a major individual contribution to lifting education in this country. I hope other privileged Nigerians and organisations will draw a cue from this worthy gesture of yours and partner with the government as it cannot do it alone,” she said

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NATIONAL NEWS

November 24, 2012

How to solve Nigeria’s religious crises –Tony Blair •Tension, politically motivated, says Jonathan ISE-OLUWA IGE

ormer Prime Minister of Britain, Tony Blair, has declared that Nigeria’s incessant religious crises will end only if the nation’s politicians are ready to be leaders rather than politicians. Blair made the declaration yesterday in Abuja after President Goodluck Jonathan said that some of the religious tension in the country were politically motivated. Speaking at the launching of a Faith Foundationled programme to encour-

age religious reconciliation between Christians and Muslims organised by the Tony Blair Faith Foundation, Jonathan noted that young people in the country were being seduced by false prophets and led into the path of violence and hatred. He advised religious leaders to ensure that religion was not misused or abused to justify violence. Although Jonathan was in Pakistan yesterday, he spoke through the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Annan Pepple. In a brief remark read on behalf of Jonathan by Pep-

ple, the president said: “Inter –religious dialogue is already playing an important role in our society. The Federal Government continues to promote religious harmony by constantly engaging the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council, jointly chaired by the President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Sultan of Sokoto. “While progress on this front is satisfactory, it must be pointed out that some of the religious tensions in the country are politically motivated. “We must now use both platforms to call on all be-

lievers to reject religiously anchored violence, advance tolerance, and promote mutual understanding.” The president also emphasises the imperatives of dialogue as part of efforts to create peace and advance development. Founder of the Tony Blair Faith Foundation and former Prime Minister of Britain, Mr Tony Blair, said Nigerian politicians had to choose whether they wanted to be leaders or politicians. He pointed out that leadership was required to tackle the challenges fac-

ing the country. He said, “My foundation and I are deeply committed to addressing the challenges of religious reconciliation in Nigeria.” According to him, understanding and respecting different faiths is central to securing sustainable peace, particularly where those who seek to misuse religion for violent ends aim to destroy it.” He said that the foundation would be working with the Archbishop of Canterbury Designate, Bishop Justin Welby, towards healing the rifts and divisions amongst faiths in Nigeria in order to bring unity and peaceful co-existence to the Nigerian people. Also speaking at the event, the President of CAN, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, while thanking Blair for the initiatives said that the solution to religious violence lay with Nigerians themselves. He said there was no alternative to dialogue to resolve the crises. He however, said that dialogue must be progressive

with set objectives achievable within stipulated time. He said that the Sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar Saad and him had the understanding of what needed to be done but however said that the challenge was for them to pass the understanding to their followers. In his remarks, the Sultan of Sokoto called on Nigerians to embrace peace. He noted that those who engaged in religious violence were in the minority adding that majority of the Nigerian people were peaceloving and non-violent. While expressing confidence in the ability of Nigerians to resolve the crisis in the country, he appealed to all Nigerians to choose peace. In his contribution, an Anglican Primate, Right Reverend Nicholas Okoh said that religion had become victim in the hands of political predators. He said that religion had been misused and abused by politicians adding that the greatest task before religious leaders was how to rescue religion from the hands of politicians.

FG’ll encourage young entrepreneurs –Sambo ROTIMI FADEYI ABUJA L-R: Former National Secretary of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Richard Jideaka; Chairman, House of Reps. Committee on Sports, Godfrey Gaiya, and National President of SWAN, Saidu Abubakar, at the 2012 FCT SWAN Awards Night in Abuja, on Thursday.

PHCN: Preferred bidders provide $335.85m bank guarantees TOLA AKINMUTIMI ABUJA

he Bureau of Public Enterprises confirmed yesterday that it received bank guarantees worth $335,854,986.15 from the preferred bidders of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) successor generation and distribution companies in line with the payment mechanism for the privatisation. The preferred bidders for the Discos submitted bank guarantees worth $188,476,306.00 while the preferred bidders for Gencos submitted bank guarantees worth $147,378,680.15. According to a state-

ment by the Bureau’s Head Public Communications, Chuks Nwokoh, the breakdown of the bank guarantees showed that Kann Consortium Utility Company Ltd provided $24,600,000.00 for Abuja Disco; Vigeo Power Consortium —$19,350,000.00 for Benin Disco; West Power and Gas—$20,250,000.00 for Eko Disco; Interstate Electrics Ltd—$18,900,000.00 for Enugu Disco; and Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Ltd— $25,350,000.00 for Ibadan Disco. Others are NEDC/ KEPCO Consortium—$19,650,000.00 bank guarantee for Ikeja Disco; Aura Energy Ltd—$12,300,000.00

for Jos; Sahelian Power Ltd—$20,550,000.00 for Kano Disco; 4Power Consortium—$18,636,306.00 for Port Harcourt Disco; and Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Ltd— $8,890,000.00 for Yola Disco. A breakdown for the Gencos and preferred bidders bank guarantees showed that NorthSouth Power Ltd provided $16,748,180.00 for Shiroro Hydro Power Plc; Mainstream Energy Solutions—$35,680,500 for Kainji Hydro Power Plc; CMEC/EURAFRIC Energy Ltd—$30,150,000.00 for Sapele Power Plc; Amperion Power Distribution Limited—$19,800,000.15 for Geregu Power Plc; and Transcor p/Woodrock/

Sumbion/Medea/PSL/ Thomassen—$45,000,000.00 for Ughelli Power Plc At its sixth meeting for 2012 which held on October 29, 2012 at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) had approved the payment mechanism for the PHCN successor generation companies (Gencos) and successor distribution companies (Discos). The approved mechanism involves, amongst other requirements, the submission by the preferred bidders of additional bid security in the form of a letter of credit or bank guarantee for f15 per cent of the transaction value to the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE).

he federal government has reiterated its resolve to continue to support and encourage young entrepreneurs in the country to actualise their business ideas. Vice President Namadi Sambo stated this in Abuja yesterday while receiving students who participated and won the trophy in the just concluded Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship (SAGE) World Cup, held in San Francisco, California , United States, in July this year. The Vice President noted that it would be the fifth time youth entrepreneurship teams from Nigerian secondary schools would triumph at the Global Business fiesta since it was initiated ten years ago by American professor, Curtis De Berg of the California State University. Sambo said “the transformation agenda of government has the economic empowerment of youths

of this country as an integral part of its expected outcomes and therefore government will continue to support genuine efforts by budding entrepreneurs to actualise various business visions”. While expressing excitement at the trophy won by the Junior Secondary School, Jikowyi and Government Secondary School , Jibi, all in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Sambo said “the victory has come at a time when all hands must be on deck to promote entrepreneurship and small and medium enterprises for job creation and wealth creation in our country”. Sambo congratulated the students, teachers and officials of the ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that supported the schools that represented the country at the Global Entrepreneurship competition and emerged victorious in the Socially Response Business (SRB) and the Social Enterprise Business (ESB) categories respectively.

NATIONAL NEWS

November 24, 2012

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Senate vows to grow indigenous airlines •Insists BA, Virgin Atlantic shortchanged Nigerian passengers OLUSEGUN KOIKI

he Senate Committee on Aviation yesterday vowed to ensure speedy and consistent growth of Nigerian airlines in a bid to challenge foreign carriers flying into the country. The committee once again accused the duo of British Airways and Virgin Atlantic of fare disparity on passengers emanating from Nigeria

and other West African sub-region on its London route. It said the inability of Nigerian carriers to effectively compete on the competitive route gave the carriers opportunity to charge Nigerians arbitrarily. The committee stated these yesterday when it visited the facilities of Arik, IRS and Aero airlines in Lagos. Speaking on behalf of other committee mem-

bers, its chairman, Senator Hope Uzodinma, said that there is a need for Nigeria to develop local capacity in order to create jobs for Nigerians and reciprocate the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and other countries. He also emphasised that the visit would afford it the opportunity to close gaps between the operators and the government agencies in the sector, noting that both the op-

erators and the agencies never saw themselves as partners in the sector. He said, “We’ve seen and inspected the facilities of Arik Air and they have explained and introduced themselves properly to us and from all indications, we’ve seen that Arik means business and one of the strategic importance of this visit is to again reassure Nigerians out there that the Nigerian aviation system is working.

“One of the reasons for the high fares on London route is because there is no competition. I think deliberately, the British Airlines that are operating a duopoly between Virgin Atlantic and British Airways. The moment we consult properly with the Federal Ministry of Aviation, I’m sure that airline like Arik and Aero must have that capacity to respond to the reciprocity of our BASA agreement and ensure that we have alter-

natives for Nigerians so that the market forces will be real and genuine.” Responding, the Managing Director of Arik Air, Mr. Chris Ndulue, declared that all its aircraft in Nigeria wre under-utilised due to the absence of critical components at the airports that would make their aircraft used to full capacity. Some of the components, according to him, are the absence of runway lights in 18 o

Yakassai, Uranta, others advocate for a ‘People’s Constitution’ TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE

L-R: Head, Disease Control, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPCDA), Dr. Adamu Nuhu; Head, Routine Immunisation, NPCDA, Mr. Mohammed Adamu; Under-Secretary, Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Kabir Garba, welcoming the Minister of State II for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Nuruddeen Muhammad, at the signing of 15 million Euro MOU financing on polio immunisation programme by Germany in Abuja, yesterPHOTO: NAN day.

APGA crisis: No warrant of arrest against me –Madalla OBIORA IFOH ABUJA

he factional chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Alhaji Sadiq Madalla, has denied reports that a warrant of arrest was granted against him by an Abuja High Court for not appearring before it in a case instituted by a faction of the party. He also threatened to take legal action against the newspapers (Saturday Mirror not inclusive) and their reporters involved in writing the story for misrepresenting the ruling of Justice U.P. Kekemeke. According to him, Kekemeke had said that a warrant of arrest could not be granted since the accused is yet to be arraigned. Alhaji Massala who

said that he was hospitalised following an auto crash faulted media reports that he and some members of his executive had gone underground for fear of being arrested. He said it was the handiwork of their political detractors. The APGA factional chairman was reported to have gone underground and had since switched off his phones following allegation of forgery against him. It was also reported that the Judge had ordered the police to produce him in court on the next adjourned date of December 3. But Massalla told Journalists on Friday that he was recuperating from involvement in an accident that he had while travel-

ing on the Jos-Abuja highway and was never on the run. He said, “For the avoidance of doubt, I was never on the run and will never run for nothing. I had an accident and was in coma for many days and was taken to Vom Christian Hospital from where I was moved to Jos University Teaching Hospital until I was discharged a few days ago. “Let me make it categorically clear that I am a complainant in the case in question... The IGP on July 24, 2012 in a memo signed by DCP Murtala U. Umani, Principal Staff Officer 2 to the IGP, directed the DIG of Police, D Department (Force CID) to investigate the allegation contained in my petition.. “Thereafter, the police

commenced investigation and eventually arrested the accused persons, took their statements under caution and granted them bail. In all these and since July 2012, the police did not and have never invited me for any further interrogation or to make any statement under caution.”

ollowing the state of insecurity and several agitations in the country, the National Summit Group (NSG), has stressed the need for Nigerians to dialogue and proffer lasting solutions to the myriads of problems bedeviling the country. Arising from its expanded National Working Committee (NWC) meeting in Lagos, where certain salient issues in the country in pursuit of its established objective of providing a platform for Nigerians to dialogue were reviewed, NSG posited that Nigerians need a Peoples Constitution. The document, it was agreed, would proffer solutions to some of the problems in the country. NSG, in a communiqué signed by its chairman, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai and its executive secretary, Mr. Tony Uranta, states that: “The primary goal of providing a platform for Nigerians to dialogue in the face of the

myriad of challenges facing the country is inevitable. “The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which became operational through the promulgation of Decree 24 of 1999 is overtly defective and structurally comatose is a well known fact. “While the present efforts of the National Assembly to amend/review the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria are commendable, it is clearly expressive of the fact that the 1999 Constitution is structurally defective and cannot be seen as the people’s constitution. “There is an overriding imperative for the people of Nigeria to dialogue on the platform of a National Conference to produce a truly “Peoples Constitution” for the unity, security, prosperity, peaceful and continued existence of Nigeria as an indissoluble entity. The National Conference should be seen as joint patriotic efforts of the sovereign people of Nigeria, the executive, the legislature and the judiciary.”

PDP plots to kill opposition – ACN MURITALA AYINLA

he Action Congress of Nigeria yesterday raised alarm that the Peoples Democratic Party is making some underground moves to frustrate opposition parties in the country in order to perpetuate itself for 100 years. The party which described the plan as unre-

alistic said it would not be deterred by the moves. Speaking at the 2012 Press week of the Lagos State Governor’ Office Correspondents (LAGOCO), held at the LTV8, Agidingbi, Ikeja, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Muhammed, said in spite of the gimmicks of the ruling party to ‘politically kill’ the opposition parties in the past 13 years the na-

tion retuned to civil rule. Muhammed who was represented by a former member of the state House of Assembly, Jide Jimoh, spoke on the topic entitled:”Role of Opposition in Nation Building: 13 years of Democratic Experience”. While commending Nigerians and the media for standing by the party in holding the ruling party accountable to the public,

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NATIONAL NEWS

November 24, 2012

Plane crash: Mark leads delegation to Suntai

…To attend Onaiyekan’s consecration as Cardinal ROTIMI FADEYI

resident Goodluck Jonathan has raised a delegation headed by Senate President David Mark to visit Taraba State governor, Danbaba Suntai ,presently receiving treatment in Hanover, Germany for injuries sustained in a plane crash. The delegation is also to represent the federal government at the formal

consecration of Archbishop John Onaiyekan as a Cardinal of the Catholic Church by Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican which holds today. A statement issued yesterday by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, listed other members of the delegation to include the Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Mike Oghiadomhe, the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah; Minister of

State (FCT), Olajumoke Akinjide and the Chaplain of the Presidential Villa Chapel, Venerable Obioma Onwuzurumba. It would be recalled that Archbishop Onaiyekan’s elevation to the College of Cardinals was announced by the Vatican on October 24. According to the statement, the delegation, which is due back tomorrow, will make a stop-over in on their way back from the Vatican to visit Suntai. The Taraba State gov-

ernor was involved in a plane crash on Thursday, October 23, this year, with five others but was later flown to Germany for further medical treatment. The small Cessna plane, which Governor Suntai piloted, had crashed at Ngoro Village, 35 kilometres to Yola International Airport in Adamawa State. Other aboard the plane with him were his Chief Security Officer (CSO), Chief Detail, Orderly and two others.

Rivers State governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, (right) welcomes Hon. Kamil Akinlabi Mudashiru, Chairman, House of Representatives Committe on Youth and Social Development, to Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday.

Insecurity: Army embarks on re-orientation of personnel A ZA MSUE KADUNA

he Commander Corps of Artillery (CCA), Maj. Gen. Amnon Kalayi Kwaskebe, has vowed to enforce discipline and re-orientation among its officers and men to meet up current security challenges facing the nation. In a statement issued by the corps Public Relations Officer, Captain Sani Tsafe Uba, said the command’s decision was taken during its 2012 Annual Conference held at the headquarters, Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery (NACA) , Kontagora, in line with Chief Of Army Staff ,Lt.Gen. Onyeabor Azubuike’s transforma-

tion agenda. The statement further said its conference deliberated on the need to organise sensitisation lectures on security awareness to troops, maintenance and handling of equipments amongst others. The command spokesman added that the annual event also aimed at updating and appraising the activities of the headquarters of Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery and other Artillery formations and units. Earlier , the Commander Corps of Artillery (CCA) , Kwaskebe, called on the participants to move the Corps to greater height as to maintain its slogan “The Corps of Proud Professionals” M a j . G e n . Kw a s k e b e

however urged participants to jointly complement the effort of the army authority “To

transform the Nigerian Army into a force better able to meet contemporary challenges.”

Bob Fitts storms Lagos for conference TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE

merican gospel singer and evangelist, Bob Fitts is expected to lead thousands of worshippers in Nigeria at the 2012 edition of Worship His Majesty Conference organised by the Fountain of Life Church. Bob Fitts will join a host of other gospel artistes across Nigeria between 26th November and 2nd December, 2012, at the Industrial

Avenue, Ilupeju auditorium of the church for the annual praise and worship concert. In a press statement by the conference organisers made available to Saturday Mirror, the event is scheduled for 6pm each day and would be streamed live on the internet.

NIPPS graduates 56 participants

•Hinges nation’s development on resources diversification

JAMES ABRAHAM JOS

he National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, near Jos, will today graduate 56 participants who took part in this year’s Senior Executive Course (SEC 34) . Addressing journalists yesterday as part of the activities to mark the graduation ceremony, the Director General of the Institute, Prof. Muhammad Tijani, said the one year training was used by the participants to reflect on Nigeria’s path to economic development. He added that Nigeria’s quest for economic development may not be realised unless deliberate efforts are made to diversify its economy, Bande identified agricultural improvement and solid mineral development as key areas as well as making educational training and sustainable peace and culture of the people, a priority. Recounting the insti-

tute’s achievement’s for the year 2012,Prof. Bande said the institute had had to embark on study visit to 12 states of the federation, six African countries and five European countries “to see how various economies of the world are managed for sustainability with a view to bringing them to bear for the benefit of the country. He added that participants had reflected on their experiences that formed part of their policy recommendation which he said had been submitted to President Goodluck Jonathan. The e Director-General also said that Nigeria’s economy hinges on the agricultural and human resources and as such, all hands must be on deck to ensure that there is a synergy among all sectors. According to him, peace and culture are critical factors in the national building process as they are “binding forces between nation’s and societies”.

TASUED: Arigbabu delivers inaugural lecture

he second inaugural lecture of Tai Solarin University of Education titled, “Beyond the cuboid: Imperatives for an Aids-Free Mathematically Literate Society” will be delivered by the Dean, College of Science and Information Technology, Professor Abayomi Adelaja Arigbabu on Wednesday, 28th November, 2012 at the main campus, Ijagun via Ijebu Ode.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Segun Awonusi, will chair the occasion. Professor A.A. Arigbabu, a Professor of Mathematics Education, is an old boy of the famous Ijebu-Ode Grammar School who bagged the first and second degrees in Mathematics from the University of Lagos. He obtained his PhD in Mathematical Education from University of South Africa.

REGIONAL NEWS

November 24, 2012

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

SOUTH WEST

FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

okoto State Governor AliyuWamakko yesterday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital declared that former President Olusegun Obasanjo is endowed with enough wisdom to guide Nigeria. Wamakko made the declaration yesterday in his remarks at the formal foundation laying and fund raising ceremony of Baytus-Salam Central Mosque being constructed within the premises of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library and promoted by the former president. The governor called on other nationalists across the country to emulate Obasanjo who preaches and works for the betterment of humanity in the country. “What is happen-

Obasanjo has wisdom to guide this country –Wamakko ing here today is an evidence that the gentleman here, Baba Obasanjo, is endowed with wisdom

IBADAN

he crisis in the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has assumed a new dimension as the South-West chapter of the party has berated the South-East chapter for its stance on change in the party’s structures saying that it only favoured the South-East alone. A statement issued by Deacon Samuel Olalere, APGA Oyo State chairman and made available to reporters in Ibadan, said that calling for derivation as the basis of sharing positions in the party can only portray the South-East zone of the party as going against the late national leader of the party, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu. It will be recalled that the South-East chapter of the party had in a statement issued at the end of its meeting held in Owerri, maintained that most of the resources used to fund the party are coming from the zone, stat-

most perfect way, be it in politics or human relations. “Baba all of us that

gathered here appreciate you. We commend you and do hope that other nationalists like you will

Presentation of donation to Arakeji community by Globacom during the 5th Anniversary of Arakeji Day Celebration . From left, (Glo Business Director Osun State) Mr. Gbolahan Olajide, (Chairman Grand Rally Arakeji Day) Otunba Alex Onabanjo; centre; (Chairman Arakeji Day Planning Committee) Prince Aderemi Adekile and (Head of Marketing Communication, West 2) Mr. Omotayo Seriki on the right.

S/West APGA flays S/East chapter over sharing of party positions KEMI OLAITAN

to guide this country to make us come out of the unnecessary pit and practise nationality in the

ing that the zone should have the larger percentage of the positions in the party. The South-West chapter insisted that APGA should take a cue from the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) that has large followership in the South-West but used the resources from the zone to spread its tentacles to other zones of the country. The statement added: “The ACN in the SouthWest is like APGA in the South-East but it has used its resources derived from the SouthWest to spread the party in other geopolitical zones, to the extent of winning seats even in the Senate in Anambra State, where APGA has none. If we must attain the idea and ideals of our great leader, late Dim Ojukwu and make APGA indeed national, the South-East must be less selfish with the resources derivable from the zone and use such to make impact in all other geopolitical zones of Nigeria.”

also emulate this good virtue by preaching and working towards the betterment of humanity in Nigeria and beyond”. The event, also had in attendance Governors Sheu Shemma (Katshina), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano) as well as Usman Dagingari of Kebbi who joined their Ogun State counterpart, IbikunleAmosun, at the N350 million fund raising ceremony for the completion of the mosque which is located within the premises and part of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL). Also present was the Governor of the Central Bank, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

NCP chieftain condemns assaults on journalists in Ogun TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE

hree-time National Conscience Party (NCP) governorship candidate, Ogbeni Lanre Banjo, has condemned the attack of the Ogun State correspondent of National Mirror, Femi Oyeweso and three other journalists by security operatives and suspected political thugs in the state. Last Tuesday, Oyeweso, Razak Ayinla of Business Day and another journalist from the Nigerian Pilot, were reportedly prevented from entering the state House of Assembly complex, by men of the State Security Service (SSS), where Governor Ibikunle Amosun was to present the 2013 budget proposal despite the three of them wearing their accreditation tags on their

necks. It was reported that efforts by one of Amosun’s Special Assistants, Seyi Enitan and a female lawmaker Adijat OladapoAdeleye’s to persuade the security agents to allow the journalists enter the complex were futile. Days before that incident, some suspected thugs had, at Shagamu, also assaulted some journalists. In a statement made available to Saturday Mirror, Banjo advised that those in government must shun any act capable of tarnishing their democratic credentials. He also warned that any action that would illustrate the government’s intolerance of critical views and policy of attack against the media and ordinary citizens must be discouraged.

“I deeply denounce the assault on journalists in Ogun State by both security operatives and thugs. When ordinary Nigerians are maltreated, we run to journalists to help us make it known to the public and those at the helm of affairs so that such a treatment is either covered by making new laws or is frowned at by enforcement of existing laws to ensure sanity in the system. Journalists therefore have political function which is to be the watchdog of the government and the voice of the masses. “The assault on the state correspondents of the Nigerian Tribune, Mrs. Olayinka Olukoya and Mr. Segun Olatunji of The Punch, by suspected thugs at the Sagamu Local Government Area of the state is strongly con-

demned. Equally decried is the onslaught on three journalists—Femi Oyeweso (National Mirror), Sulaiman Fasasi (Nigerian Pilot) and Razaq Ayinla (Business Day) by security operatives while trying to cover the budget presentation by the state governor, Senator IbikunleAmosun. Security agents must learn to be civil while discharging their duties. “Journalists have an agenda-setting function which those in government must not ignore. This function empowers journalists to have large influence on the voters by choosing newsworthy stories through mass-news media. They don’t have to tell an audience what to think, but they could tell an audience what to think about,” Banjo added.

Four die, 10 injured in Ogun auto crash

FEMI OYEWESO ABEOKUTA

t least four people have been confirmed dead, while 10 others sustained varying degrees of injuries in an auto crash which occurred in Ifo area of Ogun State late yesterday.

Saturday Mirror gathered that the accident, which involved a Lagosbound bus with registration plate number (Lagos) XY178 LSR occurred in Onihale area along the Abeokuta - Lagos express of Ifo local Government area of the state. The Itori Sector Com-

mander of Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Fatai Bakare who confirmed the accident to newsmen in Abeokuta also said that the bus skidded off the road while coming from Abeokuta and somersaulted. Bakare further stated that the bus carried 14 passengers who were sus-

pected to be weekenders going to Lagos before the accident occurred. He further said that, the driver, the conductor as well as two other passengers of the ill-fated bus died on the spot, while others sustained injury and have been taken to a nearby hospital.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

REGIONAL NEWS

November 24, 2012

SOUTH EAST

Chime’s wife urges collaboration among women groups

ife of Enugu State governor, Mrs Clara Chime, has charged women groups to partner with one another to ensure uniformity and cordiality in their activities. Mrs. Chime made the

call in Enugu yesterday when the new executive of the state branch of the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) visited her at the Government House. She said women should learn to network with one

another to achieve their common goal and ensure the development of their various communities. In the words of Mrs Chime, “The reason why women fail to get what they want is because we do not network regularly.

We need to come together under one umbrella like the NCWS and champion our cause,’’ she said. The governor’s wife commended the NCWS for its activities and promised to partner with it in all her activities.

Earlier, the state NCWS president, Dr Rita Ugwu, explained that the council was the umbrella body of all women organisations in the country. Ugwu assured the governor’s wife of the council’s support and coopera-

tion in her projects and urged her to encourage more participation of women in politics. Highlight of the visit was the decoration of the governor’s wife as the grand patroness of the NCWS in the state.

Abia’s N35b projected IGR in 2013 realisable - Commission

rs Adanma Iheuwa, the Executive Secretary, Abia State Planning Commission, says the N34.9 billion Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) projection by the state government in 2013 is realisable. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Gov. Theodore Orji on Tuesday announced a budget proposal of N134 billion for the 2013 fiscal year with N34.9 billion targeted as IGR. Commenting on the budget proposal on Friday in Umuahia in an interview with NAN, Iheuwa said that the commission had put appropriate measures in place to make the IGR projection realisable. ``’The commission has blocked all the loopholes and leakages through

which the state loses its internally generated revenues. We have also organised advocacy and training workshops for officers and heads of the finance departments in all government’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs),’’ she said. She explained that the essence of the workshops was to equip the officers for greater efficiency on how to shore up the IGR. The Planning Commission boss expressed concern that in spite of the state’s huge revenue potential, IGR had remained very low. She reaffirmed the governor’s repeated allegation that heads of finance units at the MDAs and local governments were short-changing the government. She said that the state’s

Chinenyeze of Ogui Nike of Enugu State HRH Igwe Anthony Ojukwu (left), receiving a souvenir from the General Manager, GOtv Nigeria, Mrs. Elizabeth Amkpa during a courtesy visit to the Igwe in Enugu, recently.

monthly IGR currently hovered between N200 million and N300 million. She continued, ``It is worrisome that in spite of the huge amount of revenue

generated from Aba alone, the state’s IGR remains so meagre,’’ she said. Iheuwa promised that the commission would carry out quarterly evaluation of

the 2013 budget implementation by the MDAs to ensure the realisation of its objective. She advised heads of the MDAs to be prudent in the

management of the state’s scarce resources. She also urged them to make accountability and transparency their watchwords.

Anambra petrol marketers assure of regular supply during Yuletide

he Petroleum Dealers Association of Nigeria (PEDAN) in Anambra has promised to ensure availability of petrol at the official pump price of N97 per litre in the state during Christmas. Chief Osita Ofodile, PEDAN Chairman in Anambra, gave the assurance in an interview with reporters in Awka, yester-

day. He said that the association was working to ensuring that petrol would not be scarce in the South-East during the Yuletide. Ofodile expressed optimism that market forces would not frustrate the association’s aspiration by the end of December. His words, “We, petroleum marketers in Anam-

Imo PDP chieftain condemns arming of vigilance groups

hairman of the Imo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Eze Duruiheoma, has condemned the possession of arms by vigilance groups in the state. Governor Rochas Okorocha had on Tuesday launched the Imo Security Net-

work, which is managed by vigilances groups in the state. Addressing a news conference in Owerri yesterday,, Duruiheoma said the sponsorship of the group by the government was a norm but decried their license to carry sophisticated fire-

bra and in the South-Eastern part of Nigeria are working hard to ensure that fuel is available to motorists as the year runs out. ``The major problem is that we do not control the price of petroleum products because they are mostly driven by market forces and beyond our management. ``But we hope that arms. His words, “The use of vigilantes in this state is not new. We saw it from the time of Achike Udenwa and in Ohakim’s administration. However, the constitution prohibits private persons from carrying such sophisticated firearms. Why should that law be relaxed for these men who to all intents and purposes are private men?

there will not to be scarcity during Christmas period if the supply condition remains the way it is now,`` he said. He urged the Federal Government to increase allocation of petrol to the South-Eastern zone of the country. Ofodile described as a welcome development, President Goodluck Jonathan’s clarification on the

rumour that government would stop subsidizing cost of fuel to consumers from January 2013. ``Totally removal of subsidy next year will be one move that is against the welfare of the masses. It is equally necessary to put our refineries in good shape so as to reduce the suffering people go through to buy petrol,`` he said.

Ofodile urged the president to prosecute any oil marketer found guilty of corrupt enrichment from fuel subsidy payments. It is reported that petrol is not being sold at the NNPC Mega and Mini Stations in Anambra. Most of the independent marketers in Akwa are selling a litre of petrol for between N115 and N120.

Multichoice launches Gotv in Enugu

DENNIS AGBO ENUGU

ay TV giants, Multichoice, has launched its recent brand, Gotv in Enugu State. Performing the brand’s launch Golden Tulip hotel in Enugu, the General Manager of Gotv, Mrs. Elizabeth Amkpa

said that GOtv is a mass market product, which was being introduced for the first time in Eastern Nigeria to provide high quality digital pay television service to the people of the state. Amkpa stated that Gotv was adopting a costeffective model by using the most advanced Digital Video Broadcast (DVB-

T2) technology – the first of its kind on the African continent. Amkpa described it as a cost effective model because with the T2 it is possible to migrate from analogue to digital technology, adding that GOtv subscribers need not worry about changing their devices anytime now or in the future due to obsolesce.

REGIONAL NEWS

November 24, 2012

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

SOUTH SOUTH

Cross River records zero child, maternal death in 2011 SAM EFERARO

he deputy governor of Cross River State, Mr Efiok Cobham, has said that the state recorded no infant and maternal death in 2011. Cobham made the dis-

SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN Continued from page 2

he controversial report pitched the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State against the ruling Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) after Governor Oshiomhole alleged that he believed the man he fondly called his son was politically murdered. Mba also explained that the Nigeria Police Force does not react to the investigative reports of the DPP because the DPP is a legally recognized office of the government, which advice it acts upon. Mba stated, “The po-

closure at the ongoing Congress of the AfricaiMiddle East Association of Gastroenterology (AMAGE) following the disclosure that Nigeria has one of the highest infant and maternal mortality rates in the world at 74 deaths for per 1000 infants and 630 per 100,000 live births. Speaking at the AM-

AGE opening ceremony in Calabar on Thursday, the deputy governor attributed the feat to the huge investment by the state government on healthcare delivery, especially its intervention in maternal, child and primary health care. “We are presently up scaling secondary and

tertiary healthcare facilities in the state and have already concluded arrangements to establish a fully equipped specialist healthcare facility in the state capital,” he added. Welcoming the AMAGE delegates, Cobham said the state government would participate in the congress fully because of

its belief that it would not only be worthy hosts but full beneficiaries of derivable benefits from the world specialists’ meeting. “As a fast developing state, we remain open for intervention from your association as may be appropriate,” he further said.

In his remark, the Health Minister, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, said that Nigeria would partner medical bodies around the world to address the growing incidence of digestive disorders in Africa following changing lifestyles among the people.

Oyerinde: Police affirm DPP report on Ugolor lice do not react to DPP’s advice. We do not react because the DPP is a recognized legal government agency. Whatever it says on such matter stays.” Oyerinde was murdered in his house on 2nd Ugbor Street in Benin City in the early hours of May 4, 2012, a day before Oshiomhole’s re-election campaign was to begin. The police arrested Ugolor, who was with him the evening before the murder, on July 27; and thereafter chained, paraded and prosecuted him on suspicion of sponsoring the murder in order to take over the aide’s official position. An Edo

State High Court presided by Justice Esther Edigin on September 14, however, awarded the activist the sum of N5m against the police for unlawful detention. According to Ugolor, the police is yet to pay the judgement sum or appeal against it. The DPP faulted Ugolor’s detention and prosecution and absolved him of any complicity in Oyerinde’s murder. This was done in a letter with reference No. 01/s.6712/15, dated October 29, signed by Mr. Ade Irevhovbude, addressed to the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, “D” Department (FCID) in Abuja, copied to

the Chief Magistrate of Oredo Magisterial Court 2 and made available to journalists in Benin City. The report also cleared one of the 10 accused persons, Mr. Wilfred Iserhienrhien. According to the DPP, the evidence of the murder, a single barrel gun, was recovered by the police on April 24th at the Esigie Police Division in Benin City, long before Oyerinde was murdered. The letter further directed the Nigeria Police Force to take action on the State Security Service investigative report, which handed-over to the police a duplicate case file and persons that were appre-

hended by the SSS for the murder. Asked what has become of those the SSS report indicted, Mba said they were being prosecuted for the murder of Oyerinde. “The people that the SSS paraded and handed over to the police have been charged to court. The police have charged them to court in Benin City. It was even reported in the media when they were taken to court.” Mba did not, however, state when the police will pay Ugolor the N5m awarded in his favour for unlawful detention by the Police, or if the Nigeria Police

Force will appeal against the judgment. Further investigation by Saturday Mirror revealed that the police authorities are also prosecuting the other accused persons arraigned from police investigations and who were chained and paraded along with Ugolor and Iserhienrhien. What is not known, however, is the offence they are being prosecuted for. Are they are being tried for the murder of Oyerinde, which the police alleged they committed or for the crimes that they initially committed before being recruited for the murder parade.

Tribunal: PDP, ACN trade tackles over native doctor SEBASTINE EBHUOMHAN

ontroversy continues to trail the man who collapsed on Thursday during the sitting of the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal. Saturday Mirror learnt authoritatively from the authorities of The Central Hospital, Benin, where he was rushed from the venue of the Tribunal that he is not dead as widely believed, but on admission with severe head injury and having epileptic seizures in the hospital’s intensive care unit. The man, who was later identified as Mr. Israel Odaro, aka Minister, a native doctor, collapsed when the four witnesses filed by Major-General Charles Airhiavbere (rtd), the candidate of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2012 Edo State governorship election, were giving testimony to the Tribunal.

L-R: Rivers Sports Director, Mr. Daobu Harry; Commissioner for Sports, Mr. Fred Igwe and Deputy Governor, Mr. Tele Ikuru, at the deputy governor’s news conference with Team Rivers on Sports Festival in Portharcourt, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

The Charles Airhiavbere Campaign Organisation (CACO), had in a press statement, described the native doctor as a member of the state ruling Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). CACO particularly described as misleading a story published on the incident by a newspaper (not National Mirror), saying, “The impression created

by that caption is that the man who slumped during the tribunal hearing yesterday was a witness of General Charles Airhiavbere, as his witnesses were the ones testifying at the time of the incident. The Charles Airhiavbere Campaign Organization wishes to put it on record that the man, Mr. Israel Odaro, aka Minister, a native doctor, is not a

card-carrying member of the People’s Democratic Party nor is he a witness of General Airhiavbere. Rather, he is a card-carrying member of the Action Congress of Nigeria from Uromehe in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State, the same village as the Deputy Governor of the state, Dr. Pius Odubu. CACO has it on record that the man, Min-

ister, who obviously was in the tribunal on some dubious mission, is the son of a past Odionwere of Uromehe.” In a prompt reaction to the PDP statement, the Chief Press Secretary to Dr. Odubu, Mr. Kelly Odaro denied that the man is a member of the ACN or known to any of the party authorities. Odaro said, “It is a

blatant lie. He is a confirmed member of the PDP. He came to the tribunal to support Airhiavbere’s petition. Some journalists that know the story very well also reported that he is a member of the PDP. He is neither a member of the ACN nor known to any ACN unit, ward or local government. He is a card-carrying member of the PDP. That is the truth they are trying to hide from the press.” The man, who is believed to be in his sixties, collapsed at the venue of the Tribunal at the Edo State High Court Complex. Immediately he collapsed, suffering a bloody injury in the process, those that came with him quickly rescued and shielded him from the prying eyes of journalists before rushing him to the adjoining Central Hospital for treatment.

Politics

David Mark

TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE

ince the beginning of the present democratic dispensation in May 29, 1999, one of the issues on the anvil is the call for a new constitution that will reflect the wishes and aspirations of Nigerians. Nigerians are of the view that the present document, the 1999 Constitution, in operation cannot be regarded as a ‘Peoples’ Constitution,’ because it was handed over to the democratic government by a military regime led by former Head of State, General Abdusalam Abubakar. In the last 13 years several efforts have been put in place to amend the 1999 Constitution but despite the huge resources devoted toward the amendment, people are still yearning for a ‘Peoples Constitution’. Several constitution amendment committees set up by the Presidency from 1999 till date have not solved some of the basic issues raised over the credibility of the document. Today, Nigerians are still at a crossroads over the legitimacy of the 1999 Constitution, which many people describe as Decree 24 given to Nigerians by the military. Apart from setting up a constitution amendment committee, government’s effort to restructure Nigeria through the convocation of a conference has also failed. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, in 2005, organised a National Political Reforms Conference (NPRC), but despite the huge resources devoted to the conference, the motive of organising the NPRC was not really achieved. The refusal of the federal government to hold a Sovereign National Conference (SNC), forced the Pro-National Conference Organisation (PRONACO), led by late Chief Anthony Enahoro in 2005 to organise a national conference, which was attended by eminent leaders and ethnic nationalities. The PRONACO conference

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November 24, 2012

Jonathan

Discordant tunes over constitution amendment brought many ethnic leaders and nationalities together to deliberate on the way forward but despite the success of the conference till today the report of the PRONACO’s conference is yet to be utilised. Considering the state of the nation, especially the state of insecurity and other social vices, many people are of the view that the absence of a people-oriented constitution is the basic reason for the problem of disunity in the country. Therefore, it is believed that there are various issues to be tackled in the constitution, and until those issues are resolved, Nigeria may not experience peace. At an interactive session with some members of the House of Representatives from Ogun State in Abeokuta, Ogun State governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, said that the 1999 Constitution is not a true reflection of the wishes and aspirations of the Nigerian citizenry. He posited that the absence of a people-oriented constitution in the country had impacted negatively on the growth and development of the nation. “The growing agitation for a review of the 1999 Constitution only lends credence to the fact that the Constitution is not a true reflection of the wishes and aspirations of the Nigerian citizenry. “A constitution is the Supreme Law, from which all other laws derived their legitimacy. Therefore, a document of such importance must be carefully authored and must of necessity evolve from the very people and entities whose relationship it seeks to regulate. “With the exception of the 1963 Republican Constitution, all other constitutions

that we have had in this nation were products of either the colonial rulers or the military,” the governor said. Without any iota of doubt the agitation for a review of the 1999 Constitution has forced the National Assembly to kick-start an amendment exercise. In its quest for people’s input in the constitutional amendment, members of the Senate and House of Representatives embarked on public hearings at constituencies, states and geo-political zones for people to summit their memorandum on part of the constitution that need amendment. Attesting to the need for a new constitution, Prof. Sola Adeyeye, a Senator, who is representing Osun Central Senatorial District, while speaking during the South-West zonal public hearing on constitutional amendment in Lagos, said that the Nigerian Constitution is very big and cumbersome; therefore, the amendment of the constitution would require a lot of commitment. His words: “Nigerian Constitution is too big and cumbersome. There are some issues raised in the constitution amendment process that are supposed to be matters of law and not issues to be included in the constitution. There are a lot of issues involved in constitution amendment and Nigerians should be grateful to the present National Assembly for initiating the constitution amendment. “The 1999 Constitution is not a product of the present National Assembly. We inherited it from the military and what we are doing now is to protect the document we do not create. Nigerians should be gracious to the present National Assembly for

attempting to review the constitution.” Some of the issues that dominated the public hearing include fiscal federalism, agitation for state creation, state police, regional government, local government autonomy, scraping of state and local government joints account, citizenship, chieftaincy affairs, discrimination against women, among others. Despite the various issues raised during the public hearing on constitutional amendment, Nigerians are divided over the exercise. While some see the constitution amendments as the bedrock for the ‘Peoples Constitution,’ Nigerians are yearning for, others believe that what Nigeria need is a brand new constitution and not amended version. While some schools of thoughts believe strongly in the National Assembly to amend the constitution, some are of the view that power should be given to the people through convocation of Constituent Assembly, Sovereign National Conference or national conference to decide their fate and come up with a constitution that will govern them. Divergent as the positions of Nigerians on the ongoing constitutional amendment may be, the basic point is the commonality of opinions on the need for a review of the 1999 Constitution. President Goodluck Jonathan, during a presidential media chat on Sunday, dismissed the idea of a Sovereign National Conference or referendum as a basis for determining the political stability of NiCONTINUED ON PAGE 15

POLITICS

November 24, 2012

Nigeria needs a brand new constitution –Ekiti Speaker

What is your view about the various issues raised during the recent constituency, state and zonal public hearings on constitution amendment? My observation is that everybody is willing to participate in the constitution amendment. Everybody contributed what he or she wants to be amended in the constitution, which is quite different from what military government bestowed on us in 1999. The constitutional amendment is participatory as far as I am concerned and it is good for our people. There are several arguments about the review of the constitution. While some people are in support of the amendment, some are against it calling for a brand new constitution. What is your take on this? As far as I am concerned, Nigeria needs a new constitution. The constitution amendment is like when you buy a car and you continue to panel beat it every year, at a point it won’t mean much to you. We need to sit down and write a new constitution for this country. We cannot continue to panel beat and amend the constitution every time. Considering the fortune we are spending on constitution amendment every year, why don’t we sit down and write a new constitution instead of amending every time. Some people believe that we should have a sovereign national conference but some people are afraid of the word ‘sovereign’. Then why can’t we just call it national conference. Let us sit down and write a new constitution for the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which will be a peoples’ constitution. Some people are also suggesting the constitutional amendment into referendum. I don’t think National Assembly will buy into that. What they are doing is like a referendum - asking people what they want and people are telling them what they want to be amended in the constitution. So, I don’t think there is going to be any referendum after the public hearing. Some Northern leaders recently said that any political office holders caught with corruption should face capital punishment as it done in China and other parts of the world. Do you think this will be good for a country like Nigeria? Corruption is endemic in our country. If you say people should have capital punishment for being corrupt, then you want to kill virtually everybody in this country. Corruption is an endemic problem and it will be very difficult to wipe it away in our society. Corruption started from the colonial era; the colonialists taught us how to be corrupt and Nigeria bought into it and it is now endemic. So, the idea of introducing capital punishment is not going to bring anything good to anybody because virtually all Nigerians, from lower to higher class are corrupt. If you go to any office today to ask for a file, before you are given the file, the person in charge will want to

Omirin

Rt. Hon. Adewale Omirin, the Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly believes that what Nigeria needs is a brand new constitution, not constitutional amendment. Omirin, who is representing Gbonyin Constituency of Ekiti State, made his position known during an interactive session with selected journalists in Lagos. The Speaker also spoke on corruption, agitation for state creation, call for autonomy of local governments and 2015 general elections among other issues. TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE reports. receive something from you; that is corruption. We need God’s intervention to wipe away corruption in Nigeria. The best we did in the fight against corruption was during Mallam Nuhu Ribadu’s era as chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), but toward the end, EFCC was used as a political tool to prosecute opponents of the government. At the initial stage, Ridabu did a lot of work for this country and if he had continued along that line, we would have reduced corruption to some level in Nigeria. One of the top agenda during the public hearing is state creation. Do you support the demand for creation of additional states? People are agitating for state creation because of financial problems. Every local government wants to become a state. If the resources of the country are well managed, the agitation for states will re-

duce. It is because everybody thinks if I have a state, I will have more money to myself for development. If people at the helms of affairs are passionate about development of Nigeria and well-being of the downtrodden masses, you will find out that the agitation for state creation will reduce. Today many people are agitating for either creation of state or local government because they feel they need to take their own shares of the national cake. There are some states that don’t have any Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and what they depend on is allocation from the centre. So, if the resources of this country are well managed, the agitation for state creation will reduce. Following lack of development at the grassroots, many people are agitating for the autonomy of the local government. Should autonomy be granted to local governments? As far as I am concerned, I am averse

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to the independent of the local government. The local government as far as I am concerned today is the conduit pipe for waste. If you go to virtually all the local governments in Nigeria, you will find out that nothing is happening there. They just collect their monthly allocation and squander it. For example, in my state, some local governments collected about N30million and N40million and when you get to their areas, nothing is done with the money. The best you can see is that they embark on some contracts as “direct labour”. In those days, you see people being awarded between 100metres and 200metres culvert contracts and people will be happy that they got contract from the government. But all those ones are no longer in place. As far as I am concerned if local government authority is given autonomy all their monthly allocation will go down the drain. Local governments need to be supervised by the state government. It depends on the state government. In my own state, my own governor does not remove Kobo from local government money. He gives them their money to do whatever they like with it but other governor may not be like that. We need governors who are focused and ready to develop their states. How would you assess Governor Kayode Fayemi’s performance? Governor Fayemi’s performance is super. He is the best in terms of development in Nigeria as far as I am concerned. Relatively, when you look at the money coming to the state and the amount of jobs he has done within two years, his scorecard is almost 100 per cent. Within the time he took over and now he has awarded 19 roads and commissioned 12 within his two years in office. All schools in Ekiti State have been renovated; we have about 280 secondary schools in Ekiti State and many of them have been renovated. If you go to Ikogosi, you will see the wonder that is going there. It is almost the best tourist attraction in South-West today. What has been the challenges of the Ekiti State House of Assembly under your leadership? There is no major challenge I have experienced since I took over. The assembly I lead in Ekiti State is the most hardworking House of Assembly in the whole federation. As at today we have passed about 38 bills and they are bills that touch the lives of the downtrodden masses in Ekiti State. We have a good relationship with the executive and the governor is like a father to the House of Assembly. He has seen us going outside the country for capacity programme. We have also embarked on many capacity programmes within the country. So, we have no cause to disagree with the governor. The relationship between the legislators and executives is as cordial as you can think of. During the last zonal public hearing on constitutional amendment that took place in Lagos, one of the issues raised was special status for Lagos State. Do you support a special status for Lagos State? Obviously, yes. When you look at it, Lagos State is the capital of South-West and being the former capital of Nigeria, CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

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POLITICS

November 24, 2012

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 geria. His words: “From 1999 that we started implementing this constitution, the feelings of Nigerians was that the constitution was written by the military, it is not a peoples’ constitution and they are clamouring for Nigerians to write constitution for themselves. “But, there are two issues because when a constitution has already been promulgated into law, the constitution itself sets guidelines on how the constitution could be amended and anything outside that becomes an issue. So, what the National Assembly is doing, going round the country, both the House of Representatives and the Senate, is the ideal thing to do; no matter the name it is called, whether it is public hearing or not, of course, the process of law making (is) under public hearing.” Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State in his view believes that what Nigeria needs is a constitution that would protect the rights of the people to live in any part of the country as well as guarantee speedy development of the country. Speaking during an interaction with members of the House of Representatives from Edo State in Benin, Governor Oshiomhole said: “We should work out a constitution that removes discrimination in all guises so that people are free to live and thrive wherever they choose to live in. The National Assembly must grab the oppor-

Discordant tunes over constitution amendment

Tambuwal

tunity of the ongoing efforts to amend the 1999 Constitution to ensure the outcome is geared towards building a nation where every citizen has a stake and benefits from

‘Nigeria needs a brand new constitution’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14 virtually all tribes are in Lagos. The Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba are all in Lagos. So, Lagos is a no man’s land. Also, all the products from different parts of the country are being sold at Lagos. To take care of everybody, Lagos needs to be given a special status like we have in New York. Abuja is the political capital while Lagos is the commercial capital and it should be treated as such. I support wholeheartedly that Lagos should be given a special status. What is your take on the ongoing drama in Kogi State over the impeachment of the Speaker and other principal members of the Kogi State House of Assembly by some members of the House? The Conference of Speakers has made its stand known on the matter during a recent press conference we addressed in Abuja. As far as we are concerned, the impeachment is null and void. There is a constitutional provision that says that for a speaker to be impeached, you need two-third of the members of the House. For Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly to be impeached, it will required 17 elected members, which is two-third but only 12 went ahead to impeach him. So, the exercise is a breach of the constitution. We have also called on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who had sworn to protect the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria not to close his eyes to what is happening in Kogi State. We as the Conference of Speakers have resolved that we are not

going to recognise the Speaker in Kogi State. We are recognising the old Speaker; that is our stand presently. Prior to the October 20 governorship election in Ondo State, many people see the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) as a major contender in the race but the party came a distant third. Is ACN not losing its grip on South-West? ACN cannot lose its grip on SouthWest because we lost the Ondo State governorship election. ACN cannot lose election in South-West because we lost Ondo State. We all know what an incumbent is and it is difficult to defeat an incumbent in an election, especially a rich incumbent. Ondo State has almost the largest allocation in the South West from the federation account outside Lagos State. So, they have a lot of money to play with. ACN also lost the election because we went into the election very late. We went into the election three months into the election and it was too late for us. If we had started our preparations about one year ago, I can assure you that the scene would have been different. Governor Segun Mimiko has been in Ondo for several years; he served in the state as commissioner for two times and also served as Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and a minister before becoming governor. So, definitely he will have a great influence in the state compared to somebody who is just coming from outside to contest an election within three months. So, losing election in Ondo State is not synonymous with losing the grip of South-West.

the rights and privileges available to all free people.” Despite the commitment of the National Assembly to the constitution amendment, some analysts still believe that the process will not take Nigeria to the promised land. The Spokesman of PRONACO, Mr. Olawale Okunniyi, described the constitutional amendment process driven by the National Assembly as a false hope deliberately raised to supplant the popular will of the Nigerian peoples for a brand new peoples constitution. Okunniyi in a statement made available to Saturday Mirror, said while it may be legal for the National Assembly, by the provisions of the 1999 (military) constitution to amend sections of the constitution such process can never lead to the desired people’s Constitution. He said since the constitution under review did not originally derive or is owned by the constituents of Nigeria but foisted on the people by a military government, it will forever remain, in reality, a military decree, no matter the degree of amendments carried out on it. The PRONACO chieftain however averred that in the light of the desire of the country to produce a negotiated people’s constitution, the 1999 constitution can at best serve as one of the proposals to Nigerian Constituent Assembly,

which is the only body universally recognised to give the country a peoples’ constitution. Speaking to Saturday Mirror, the National Chairman of African Renaissance Party (ARP) and the Convener of the Peoples Movement for a new Nigeria, Alhaji Yaya Ndo, also declared the constitution amendment as unconstitutional. He said that Nigerian Constitution gives the National Assembly power to amend constitution and not power to review the constitution. “Section 9 of the Nigerian Constitution gives the National Assembly power to amend constitution and not power to review the constitution. What National Assembly should do is to make an Act for the people of Nigeria to convene a national conference. The reality of Nigerians was that the 1999 Constitution was imposed by the military and there was absolutely no input by the Nigerians masses,” he said. So, with the review of the Constitution what happens? Will Nigerians be satisfied or continue to yearn for a brand new constitution? May be yes; may be no. What, however, appears to be certain is that what would best suit Nigerians is a document that would ensure development and guarantee a life of freedom where no one is discriminated against in anyway.

In your refreshingly different Oil spill: Anguish along Niger Delta coastlines Anger, frustration and bitterness appear to be the lot of residents in the Niger Delta region, especially those living and earning their living along the coastlines. Their lots have been one of oil spills too many. A community experienced three devastating oil spills within one year. Our correspondents who visited the areas had sorry tales to tell... crude deposits on the shorelines and fishing boats and nets stained by the spills. We bring you the detail of the despoliation and the attendant effect on the people of those riverine communities, tomorrow.

A governor’s long absence

The long absence of Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu State is causing ripples amid anxiety that the governor, who travelled abroad, is probably battling some health challenges. Initially, Chime was said to be on a two-month leave and that he reserved the right to spend it abroad. But against expectation, the governor has failed to return home. Why has he not returned? And who is in charge of Enugu since the governor travelled out? What have been the effects of the governor’s long absence? We provde the answers tomorrow.

War of two neighbours In Nasarawa State, the commercial town of Agyaragu is the theatre of the fierce, long-drawn ethnic violence between the Koro and Eggon communities. The strife has claimed scores of lives with properties worth millions of naira destroyed. In the heat of rage, the town’s sprawling market, for which it was famed, was completely razed. Sunday Mirror’s investigation reveals why the two neighbours believe violence would solve the problem…with the attendant effects.

Osun’s mountain of signs and wonder

Ever wondered why a particular mountain in Osun State is the destination of many people in the SouthWest part of the country? The mountain is believed to have the power to heal. Why and how? Pick a copy of Sunday Mirror and read about Ori-Oke Baba Abiye.

‘I’ll remarry when Mr. Right comes’

Iyabo Ojo, popular Yoruba movie actress, is full of optimism that she will find love again. This mother of two, whose marriage crashed some years ago, says it has been challenging raising her kids alone but that she is unfazed. She, however, hopes to remarry when the right man comes. Ojo also speaks on her family, career and social life. These and many more available tomorrow in your

November 24, 2012

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

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Mercy

Making waves behind the scene Sex talk

Size matters 2: Too much of a good thing may be bad

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Relationships Should newly wedded couples take in relatives?

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Fashion â&#x20AC;˘ Bags that flatter â&#x20AC;˘ How to dress a big bust

November 24, 2012

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Celebrity Dr. Sam Dede is a don, a movie star, an A-list Nollywood personality and these days the Director General of Rivers State Tourism Development Agency. He talks about himself, his new appointment and Nollywood.

CHINEDUM EMEANA

ow would your image assist in your work as the DG of a government agency? I think it is really going to be a plus for us. We are really going to leverage on the popularity that I have worked for all these years to get a few things done. When last were you on location? I was out last on vacation about a year and half ago. So it has been a long time. But I still have two movies that have not been released. So if one is released this year and another one next year, I think I will still be relevant. Do you think Nollywood is growing considering that a recent survey declared it as the third highest earner in the world? For me, coming from an academic background I take figures seriously so I don’t drop lines like that, I don’t just drop figures like that. But I think that in terms of the progress made by Nollywood, we can look back and say we have done well. If we are doing a race of a 100 km for instance, I think that we have done 55 km, which is above average. You know there was a time when we were too much of hard critics against Nollywood and I think that really helped the industry. But for me I think the criticisms were good for putting our acts together. What do you think is the major challenge for Nollywood? The major problem that Nollywood has is that we do not have enlightened investors. Once we begin to have enlightened investors in Nollywood the quality of our films will begin to improve. Apart from tourism, the film industry is another target that we must hold on to. That is why in our five year development plan for Rivers State, we going to build a very enterprising and viable film industry. That is another area where I am going to defend my own, that is my constituency. Don’t professionals like you still administer the money brought by unenlightened investors? Let us take for instance if one of the big telecoms firms wants to do a film about Nigeria, it will go for real professionals, not as actors alone, as producers and directors, the technical quality

‘Nollywood has not changed me’ will be better. The firm is likely going to bring experts. That is what I mean, we need to get people to believe in what Nollywood has to offer. How do you, a PhD holder, feel being in Nollywood? I don’t think I have changed. Maybe there is some kind of relief now that this is about to be put aside. But to me the idea is, it is a matter of what needs to be done practically on the field. It’s a different ball game teaching, it’s also a different ball game practising. So, if I have been able to draw a meeting in both, it becomes my interest in both areas. I think it is going to push what we are trying to do here a little higher. What new flavour will your agency

bring to Carniriv this year? Well if we continue to talk what about to expect in Carniriv, we will just give away the bride that we are packaging. We have a whole lot of things lined up. These include: light concert every night of the carnival, boat regatta which we have made bigger now and which we call International Aquatic Fiesta. We also have the usual street parade, the cultural and the Caribbean. These will involve the usual cultural displays at the carnival village. This year the cultural village will be a site to behold. It will be a tourist attraction. So I will just say come expecting. How do you relax? I do martial arts and I have been doing that since my secondary school days. I even did it professionally. I am a

blacker, I did taekwondo. For me my training sessions are a form of relaxation. That is what taekwondo does for you; you relax, while you exercise. So I am relaxed anytime. What is the best book you have ever read? The most intriguing book I have ever read, I think was The Man Died by Wole Soyinka, and then there is You Must Step Forth at Dawn, also by Wole Soyinka and then I did quite a lot of reading of African American Literature, Richard Wright, Tony Morrison. But I think the one that really made that impact was The Man Died. May be because it was very difficult the first time I read it. With time, however, it became one of the most fascinating books i have read.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

November 24, 2012

Entervaganza

With OSEYIZA OOGBODO

08023755142 kingseiza@gmail.com

Tuface walks for love in Ghana T

s’ er laz ilb Tra

Ekiye

o mark the World Prematurity Day, Tuface Idibia joined other celebrities to walk for love in Ghana to lend a helping hand to creating awareness of prematurity and its effects and to honour the babies born too early. The two-hour 7km annual charity walk tagged ‘Walk for Love To Save A Life’ was organised by Little Big Souls (LBS) of Ghana as part of the activities to mark WPD. As LBS’s international celebrity ambassador, Tuface, showed his total support by full participation in the walk that attracted representation from government, hospitals, nursing associations, organisations and many others. Speaking on his participation in the historic walk, he said it is an honour to have the opportunity to make the little contribution that sometimes make a huge impact in the life of others. “I had a great time in Accra and the walk was quite rewarding and a lot of fun. I call on everyone, individuals, corporate organisations and government agencies to support the cause. There’s so much to do and there’s a lot every person can do.”

T King

Asu Ekiye, Larry King to release new albums

ospel music maestro, Asu Ekiye, will soon release his latest album, Eniye. Fresh from his recent Europe tour, and seeking to consolidate his position in the gospel music industry which has become very competitive, the album release is preceded by the music video of its title track, Eniye. In the same vein, Larry King, a Nigeria-born London-based juju musician, has also disclosed to Entervaganza that he would release his new album, Joyful Noise, anytime from now. King’s publicist, Emmanuel Oghenede, who just returned from London where he and King perfected the marketing and promotional strategies for the album’s release, said the album would set the market on fire and prove that King is currently the most promising juju musician. Oghenede added that Joyful Noise is already making waves in Europe and America so it is only sensible to release it into the Nigerian market too.

Fe sti val

op-rated choir, Trailblazers, has held the 2012 edition of its annual Festival of Praise concert to acclaim once again. The choir, which is on the mission of using gospel music to transform Nigerian youths for the better, didn’t bother to woo the big gospel musicians in order to have a solid outing. Rather than the established names dominating the night, the concert was dedicated to the upcoming gospel musicians and they really proved their worth performing their songs in different genres that included fuji and jazz. Among the upcoming acts that rocked the concert were Praise Percussion, Niyi Jazz, Praise Custodian, Ellavibes and Treashure.

of Pra ise con cert rocks Lagos Tuface during the walk

Trailblazers

D’Beat excited by NMVA nomination

D’Beat

tar Quest 2011 winning band, D’Beat, is currently in euphoria over the nomination of its song, Oyoyo, in the best R & B category of the Nigerian Music Video Awards. Speaking excitedly on their nomination, they said, “It is a big thing for us to be nominated for such a prestigious award, it means we are doing

something right and that our effort is recognised. We thank Nigeria Breweries for the platform offered to us, Now Muzik for believing in us, and our fans for their continuous support. We appreciate everyone and we hope to win our first ever award in our quest to be the number one band in Nigeria.”

ENTERVAGANZA

November 24, 2012

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CLASSICAL RYHMES

AIRWAVES LINK

Anis Halloway returns again E

Halloway

ver since his participation in the first-ever Project Fame West Africa as the SiLeone representative, Anis erra L Halloway has not looked back on Hallow promising multifaceted entera prom tainment career in Nigeria. tainme After PFWA, he became a TV Afte for Nigezie and then hosted host fo the maiden Nigerian tth he m n Idols. But as he kept hosting even a ing TV and other events, he didn’t dn’t lose of the music career sight o areer brought him to that br prominence first. promin therefore He releasing kept

songs and two of them in particular, No One and We Nor Wan Dat, received a lot of acclaim. Again, Halloway makes a musical return with Think I Love You which he hopes will finally help him get his music career to the next level.

Omotola’s S reality show gets date

exy actress and mother other of four, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde’s keinde’s reality, show, The Real Omotola, will finally hit the airwaves on n December 6. At a time when productions ctions of celebrity reality shows are on the rise, Omotola’s show making an appearance first before the others hers will give it an edge. According to reports, The Real Omotola was shot in Africa, rica, Europe, America and is a no-holdsbarred revelation of Omotola’s personal and daily life. Itt will be aired for 13 weeks.

Femi

Sorry Sorry Artiste: Femi Kuti Omotola

Ash Flame drops Dapada, Addicted

Aderoju

PMAN stalwart gives daughter out in marriage

eteran Christian musician, Evangelist Timothy RemiAderoju, has disclosed that he is overjoyed at his daughter’s wedding holding today in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. Speaking with Entervaganza, Aderoju, who is the National Coordinator, Christian Musicians Association of Nigeria and SecretaryGeneral, Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Oyo State chapter, said, “I am just overjoyed and thankful to God that my first daughter, Hannah, is getting married. I know the importance of marriage and that’s why I’m overjoyed.”

Ash Flame

ll it would take to know that Ash Flame is a promising singer is to listen to his new singles, Addicted and Dapada. “I believe so much in these two songs,” he told Entervaganza during the week. “I’m currently promoting them and the feedback I’m getting on them is very positive.” A professional musician for eight years now and with many performances

to his credit, he said that not having attained superstar status in eight years is not a big deal. “You don’t become a success overnight in the music industry. You have to pay your due first and learn the ropes before you blow. I have paid my dues and I have studied those that came before me so it’s now my time to blow.” Speaking further, he said, “I don’t want to be a musician that attains limelight and then fades shortly after. I intend to be a permanent fixture in the music industry and I have done the necessary research so I’m sure of long term success.”

Verse 1 If my eyes no decieve me And na true be things my ears dey hear Politicians and soldiers make e meeting Our country dem wan repair Dem dey make like say Dem know o know Say na dem a spoil our country so As dem dey dabaru am dey o Na so my people dey follow o o Chorus (2x) I sorry sorry o, I sorry for Nigeria I sorry sorry o, I sorry for Africa Sorry sorry o As we [never get decided]... Verse 2 Look my friends Dem no like to hear word Na to dey follow follow, follow dem enemies Like zombie, dem dey go dey march dey go Dey fight for other people Wey spoil Nigeria so These politicians and soldiers Dem be one and the same No one different [from] the other My people no wan know But with kind of leaders Africa no get hope Africans will suffer We go suffer reach our bone Chorus till fade Adlibs I sorry sorry o, e gba mi o

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ENTERVAGANZA

November 24, 2012

BOX-OFFICE HITS

BRAIN BEHIND THE SCENE

Mercy Aigbe … proficient producer

hough she is popularly known as an actress, Mercy Aigbe is nevertheless a brain behind the scene. In front of the camera, she makes things happen as an actress. But she is just as proficient behind the camera as she is in front of it. She is a writer and producer and has produced several movies to that effect. She produced the much-talkp ed-about movie, Osas (Omo Benin), as well as Abimbola, Afe Aye, Hajia Jemila and nd Gucci Girls. And such is the clamour amour for Osas that there is a demand that she should shoot a second part for it. All herr productions have been n successful and she told Entervaganza that the secret of their success lies in the fact that she e doesn’t cut corners. ers. “It is very capital intensive to shoott a quality movie e but once you’ve decided ecided to shoot, then hen it’s better that hat you do it the he right way.” All herr movies have been een produced in n the Yoruba language, nguage, though she is not Yoruba herself. She is a native of Benin, Edo State. Giving the reason why she producduces Yoruba ruba movies and not even n English,

Aigbe (left) with Foluke Daramola

she said, “The Yoruba movie industry is very accommodating. They are very warm and friendly and make you feel at home so it’s easy for me to do movies with them.” Though she’s a highly rated producer now, her dream of being a movie producer would never have materialised if her father had had his way y. He wasn’t really y keen about her Nollywood aspirations but she finally brought him round to her way of thinking.

year is 1987. Motorcycle ninjas tighten their grip on Florida’s narcotics trade, viciously annihilating anyone who dares move in on their turf. Multi-national martial arts rock band Dragon Sound have had enough, and embarked on a roundhouse wreck-wave of crime-crushing justice. When not chasing beach bunnies or performing their hit song Against the Ninja, Mark (taekwondo master/inspirational speaker Y.K. Kim) and the boys are kicking and chopping at the drug world’s smelliest underbelly. It’ll take every ounce of their blood

and courage, but Dragon Sound can’t stop until they’ve completely destroyed the dealers, the drunk bikers, the kill-crazy ninjas, the middle-aged thugs, the “stupid cocaine” … and the entire MIAMI CONNECTION!!!

Aigbe

ra J. Finkelstein is obsessed w i t h Christmas. He’s seen every Christmas movie ever made and his dreams are filled w i t h re i n d e e r, s l e i g h rides and snow. T h e problem? Ira’s Jewish and at 11 years old, Christmas is passing him by. W h e n I r a ’ s hopes for a holiday vacation in Aspen are dashed, he hatches a plan to finally get the Christmas of his dreams. Flying unaccompanied to visit his grandparents in Florida, he swaps tickets with Mikey, another 11-year-old on his way to Christ-

mastown, WA. Ira however gets more than he bargained for when he experiences his first ‘White Christmas.’

November 24, 2012

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Relationships

Should newly wedded Caution is the word

n this present age of economic inconsistencies, many newly wedded young couples are saddled with the act of taking in one relative or more to help lighten the financial burden of other family members. Many African homes have one extended family member or the other living with them and this has become the norm. In fact these days, it has become the fad for family to expect that once you are getting married, you will take along someone in your family as a helper in the house. The term helper in this case goes beyond someone doing house chores in the home. It also entails a person who acts as a companion to the woman in the house, especially when the man is not around. This in principle is a good thing but in actual fact, the companionship that may end up being created by the relative and the woman may not help in the bonding of the couple. The marriage becomes doomed from the beginning. This is because the relative will automatically become a third party in the relationship that the couple is trying to build in the marriage. The idea of a third party will creep into the marriage unknowingly and without the couple being aware of the dangers involved until it may become almost too late. Marriage is the coming of two different individuals from different backgrounds into one sociological entity. The appearance of a third party on the horizon from the inception of the marriage will therefore disrupt the equation. With each of the couple in the family comes a set of values and when they become one, a new and unique set of traditions and memories based on this value or belief system will develop. The living of the relative with the couple will be one serious hurdle that has to be surmounted because it’ll invade their privacy and ‘us’ time, thereby making it difficult for the couple to grow into each other as partners. Be that as it may that couples need to help their extended families, couples must move from a dependent relationship with parents and other members of the immediate family to an interde-

pendent one with their spouse. Establishing clear cut boundaries and limits in keeping relatives at bay in the early stages of the marriage in order to remove interference will go a long way in curbing future problems or troubles which may rear its head when the couple is least prepared for it. If you asked most people that have at one time or the other had relatives living with them, the answer you would most likely get is that though the ultimate aim of the act is to help a less privileged relation, the end result is infighting and a ‘no thanks’ situation where the noble act is reduced to quarrels by the higher expectations of the extended family, notwithstanding the financial limitations of the couple helping them out. And it is at this point that the woman is given a bad image if the relative is related to the man. Even if the relative is from her side of the family, she’ll still have to bear certain name calling by her relatives who will claim that she doesn’t want her husband to help the family. As a man who has almost always had one relation or the other living with him, it has been a mixed bag of goods. While some stories have been very good, some on the other hand have not been so good. In fact, they’ve been downright bitter. I cannot count the amount of nights I’ve had to do mental mathematics and juggles to calculate non existing funds to feed the many mouths I’ve had to contend with. While it’s almost been Herculean for my wife and I to survive the many problems that have arisen from taking in relatives, it has also prepared us and is still doing so, for people management and I’ve personally turned it into an avenue to acquire the skill for managing people in other spheres of life. Finally, choosing to have relatives live with you as a young couple takes serious consideration and I’ll advise that couples should seriously sit down to understand the immense decision and outcome of what they want to do because newly married couples need space, both emotionally and physically to nurture the relationship they have and the advent of a third party will hinder that.

SEX TALK

This column is x-rated

Size matters 2: Too much of a good thing is bad QUESTION: “I have just started having sex with this really great guy but I’m having a major problem with the size of his member. Basically it’s gigantic. I haven’t measured it but it’s longer and wider than anything I’ve seen. I was totally shocked because he’s kind of short and he’s not that muscular or anything, he’s actually quite skinny. The first time we had sex I was sore the next day and then got a urinary tract infection, which meant no sex for a while. Now I guess I’m a bit nervous every time we try. I really like him, but his size is a little overwhelming. What do you think I should do?” ANSWER: If you are in this situation, there are things you can do to make it work. The first thing to sort out is whether the length or the width is what is causing problems for you. A long member can hurt, because during penetration it can hit the cervix. A wide one may feel like its stretch-

ing you too much and it can also lead to more bacterial infections if it’s rubbing (and irritating) your urethra. That’s probably why you ended up with a urinary tract infection. You may want to examine these issues in your search for a solution.

Are you aroused enough? As part of female sexual response, arousal brings with it physical changes that will help deal with a bigger member. In particular, most women will produce vaginal lubrication. If your partner is big you may need to wait until you’re very aroused, mentally and physically, before moving to penetration. Adding more clitoral stimulation (or wherever you know you’re most easily aroused) can be a fun and effective way to make sure your body is as ready as your mind is. Do you use lubricants? If you haven’t already discovered the

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RELATIONSHIPS

November 24, 2012

CHINWE ANNIE AMAECHI 07028684481 chinweamaechi@gmail.com

couples take relatives in? It may be dangerous

This column is x-rated benefits of lubricant, now is the time. These days, there are dozens of different brands of lube (organic, sugar-free, espresso-flavored, etc.), and they all make sex more comfortable and fun by making it more slippery. Some women say they don’t need lube because they lubricate a lot on their own. If you’re having intercourse with someone with a big member, using extra lube is always recommended. Experiment with a few different kinds to see if a thicker or thinner lube is best for you. If you’re prone to yeast infections, avoid lubricants with glycerin.

Recommended sex positions If one or both of you are constantly worried that a wrong move is going to cause pain, the sex will suffer. Sex positions are another way to deal with discomfort due to a partner who is on the large side. The best sex position will be one that allows both of you control over the depth and angle of penetration and offers as much movement as possible. There’s no easy answer here. The key is to experiment until you find a few that work well.

This column is x-rated Help from the sex industry There are actually products you can buy in sex stores that are designed with the longer man in mind. Ever heard of a limiter? Yes, this is essentially a think ring of soft rubber or vinyl that slides down the base of the member and, as the name implies, limits the length that will enter the woman during intercourse. They can seem a bit silly at first, but if your intercourse is fraught with anxiety about one thrust too deep, the freedom they allow can be wonderful.

What about condoms? Finding condoms that fit well is a problem for most men, especially men who are exceptionally big and indeed for their sexual partners who are interested in safe sex. There are a variety of larger size condoms available and it’s worth experimenting with them all until you find one that is comfortable and large enough not to break! Men who complain about condoms not fitting may also want to have their partners try the female condom to see if it’s a preferred option.

he primary idea behind marriage is the couple’s separation from their individual families in order to create and build a new family together. I call this the “leave and cleave” principle – you leave your father and mother (as well as siblings and other relatives) and cleave to your spouse. Those who are married can confirm that the process of ‘cleaving’ is quite challenging, particularly at the ‘teething’ (early) stage of marriage. What some couples have to decide is whether it would be detrimental to have relatives as co-residents in their matrimonial home during the teething stage of marriage. No doubt, the African setting is quite communal and it is rare to see lots of families who do not have live-in relatives. One must however concede that in most cases, two people who have agreed to get married would be expected to have their own home before the marriage ceremony. If the man used to live with other men (“flat mates”) under the same roof, he or his friends would be expected to find alternative accommodation to enable ‘madam’ move in with her husband. Unfortunately, the requirement for squatters or co-residents to find alternative accommodation when a man is about to get married does not seem to apply to relatives. The man’s brother/sister who goes to work from his house would wonder why his/her brother would “chase” him/her out of his house “because of a woman”. So, when the woman comes in, she has the task of pleasing not just her husband, but his relatives who reside in their home. Sometimes (on rare occasions), it is the woman who brings in her relative. Whatever the case, experience teaches that it is not such a good idea for newlyweds to live in close proximity with inlaws. There are many reasons for this proposition. All sorts of problems may arise in such a ‘live-in’ arrangement, no matter how nice the relatives might be. Whether we admit it or not, this topic would not have been sensational or worth the debate if live-in-relatives were not regular sources of marital conflict. There are many disadvantages of allowing relatives to live with you during the early stages of marriage. The first reason is that third parties, no matter how discreet, are major threats to privacy and exclusivity. A healthy couple should feel free to walk around nude or in ‘hot’ outfits and to have intimate moments in any part of the house. There should be room for romance and spontaneity! They should also have the space

to argue/quarrel and resolve differences without the fear that someone is eavesdropping, intervening to act as mediators. How can this happen with co-residents? Also, when an in-law is in your home, you tend to be ‘on guard’ unnecessarily. Because you don’t want to be labelled a terrible spouse or bad hostess, so you try your best to avoid areas of friction. Unfortunately, it is near impossible to live with another human being without clashing once in a while. Amusingly, it is non-essentials like food, water, television, doors, generator and other crazy stuff that cause problems. One other problem which live-in relatives cause is the unnecessary battle for attention and importance. When a woman has to wonder whether her husband ranks his live-in sister higher than his wife, it is a sign that something has gone wrong. I agree that a woman should not think in that direction, knowing that the man ought to consider both relationships as important, but the truth is that if a man insists on accommodating his sister in their home, he must make a clear distinction that his wife is his priority. By default, every newlywed has the desire for privacy with her husband. It is a yearning that can turn to resentment when not fulfilled. There will be moments when you would be glad to have other people around you, but, believe me, those moments are very few and far apart. Also, you can avoid having such moments by creating fun moments with friends and relatives, e.g. inviting them to your home have lunch or dinner from time to time. I think that the primary reason why this issue of live-in relatives has caused so much harm to marriages, especially at its ‘teething’ stage is that each partner would rather tolerate his/her partner’s relatives than express any reservations about the situation, just to avoid conflict. Newlyweds should be allowed to live on their own even if it is for just for one year. However, if your spouse insists on having his relative in your home at any point in time, don’t make it a big deal and make sure you do all you can to make the person comfortable. The best way to arrive at a well considered answer to our question is to identify the pros and cons of having relatives live with newlyweds. We have identified some pros (above). Now, what are the pros? I doubt that you would identify any advantage that cannot be achieved without the ‘live-in’ relatives.

Barrister Abiola AkiyodeAfolabi, a legal practitioner and human rights activist is the Executive Director of Women Advocates Research and Documentation Center (WARDC) and National Coordinator of Gender and Constitution Reform Network (GECORN). She spoke to TEMITOPE OGUNBANKE, on her marriage and the general lot of Nigerian women.

November 24, 2012

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Woman

‘Poverty is a major challenge to happy marriage’

hen did you get married? I got married in 1998 to my long friend and confidant, Dr. Kolawole Afolabi You’ve been married for the past 14 years. What would you say are your experiences and what are the challenges of marriage? I think it is necessary for me to state here that I married a friend; he understands me and my work; he understands my passion for change and also shares in the dream to change the nation for the better. There have been challenges, some very fundamental, but we have been able to overcome them. We have our ups and downs and we have remained committed to each other. For instance, we lost our first child and daughter when she was five. We became closer thereafter and we have accepted what we cannot change. What would you say are responsible for the collapse of many marriages today? Several factors are responsible for this. Poverty is a major challenge for most marriages in Nigeria. Intolerance, lack of understanding, societal pressure on the centrality of having children in marriage, our value system, stereotype of the role you expect a man or woman to play in marriage, external factors like undue interference by relations are factors that are responsible. We still have many more. I think we expect too much from marriage in Nigeria. I think the moment people stop seeing marriage as a do-or-die affair, the better it will be. People should know that they can opt out of it when it is necessary. As a lawyer and human rights activist, how have you been able to combine the practice of Law, activism and your role as a wife and mother? I have understanding people

Akiyode-Afolabi

around me and that makes the situation relatively easy. I think government and the society should do more to encourage women to be able to combine tasks. They can create crèche for working mothers and make more gender friendly laws in workplaces. There can be some form of community support by experienced mothers and fathers to support young people who are just married.

Your organisation has been leading the struggle against discrimination against women in Nigeria in the past few years. What is the mission of the organisation? The organisation started in 2003 when there was the issue of constitution review; we realised that the constitution did not cover the issue of gender despite

the fact that women have been talking since 1999. Prof. Jadesola Akande talked extensively on the need for a gender friendly constitution. We came together after the event to mobilise women for gender friendly constitution. We have six zonal coordinators working with us and mobilising people from all the zones and they are going to participate in the coming constitution review process.

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WOMAN

November 24, 2012

Our mission, in a simple term, is to ensure that we have a constitution that is gender friendly in Nigeria like the constitution that we have in Uganda, South Africa, Rwanda and Kenya. Our mission is to bring the issue of women to the fore in the constitution review. Presently, we have about 200 organisations which are members of Gender and Constitution Reforms Network. Why are you so passionate about ensuring a constitution that is gender friendly in Nigeria? We are passionate about getting some women issues in the constitution resolved this time around because we cannot continue to be in the same country and be treated like second class citizens. Just imagine the kind of embarrassment by the refusal to swear-in a female Judge of the Court of Appeal over gender issue. For a woman who was already dressed and had invited her friends for a ceremony to be a member of Court of Appeal; something that she merited not as a matter of whether she is a man or woman. Unfortunately and most embarrassingly, she was not sworn in because of marriage issues. It is just not acceptable. So, we cannot remain in this country and be treated like second class citizens. As the National Assembly is planning to review the 1999 Constitution, what are the areas you want the lawmakers to look into critically in the Constitution in the interest of Nigerian women? The review of the 1999 Constitution is on-going and one of the issues we are raising is that Nigeria cannot be an exemption in the area of constitution development around Africa. For instance, we have the Ugandan Constitution, which addresses women issues like women’s rights. We also have Kenyan Constitution of 2008 which also addresses women issues. We have realised that for years there have been constitutional engagements in Nigeria but unfortunately issue of women have been excluded. One of the issues that we are raising is the issue of language. What we are saying is that in the constitution, the language should be simple enough for Nigerians to be able to come to terms with. Secondly we are also pushing that in the constitution the word ‘he’ is used about 235 times and in all the times ‘he’ was used it did not address the issue of women. We are saying let us use the language that will portray both male and female. In the two places where ‘she’ was used in the constitution, they were derogatory. We are saying that language of the Constitution is not gender friendly. We are also saying that there are some sections in the Constitution that are not gender friendly. Also, the issue of indigeneship should be clearly spelt out in the Constitution. Ambiguity trails the indigeneship of a woman, to the extent that they cannot claim their place of origin or that of their husbands in appointive and political circumstances. Women have been discriminated against on the issue of indigeneship in Nigeria. There is

need for the constitution to be clearer on this issue. We are also saying that constitution should make provision for at least 35 per cent enhancement of women’s political power; that is 35 per cent of political appointments should be for women. We are asking that there should be quota in the Constitution. We are also talking on the issue of Land Use Act. The 1999 provision on the land use act further reinforces discriminatory customary and cultural practices that deny women and poor men access to land. It should be reviewed to give equal access to the people. We are also talking about issue of fiscal federalism. We are saying that if we are to have fiscal federalism in our country it must include issue of gender. We are also saying that it is better for us to have state policing so that we can have more access to the police. All the 15 issues that are listed by the Senate have gender implications. On the citizenship, the 1999 Constitution makes no provision for the process by which non-Nigerian men married to Nigerian women and who are so desirous, may become Nigerian citizens, but provides for Nigerian men married to non-Nigerian women. This can be seen in Section 26(b). On the dignity of womanhood, Section 34 generally speaks on rights to dignity of human persons but is not specific on critical women’s rights issues such as widowhood practices, harmful traditional practices and so on. In the same vein, reproductive health rights have been recognised as a development and human rights issue but are not specifically provided for in the 1999 Constitution. Also the Chapter 2 of the 1999 Constitution is critical to women’s development but cannot be enjoyed as a result of the restrictions in Section 6(6) (c) of the Constitution. It would be recalled that the practice of denial of inheritance rights has caused untold hardship on women and girl-children. The 1999 Constitution has no provision which guarantees women’s rights to inheritance. Many people are of the view that activism have died in Nigeria. Why are many activists silent on issues affecting the masses? I agree with you. I was at a foundation discussion some weeks ago and I raised the issue with them. Many of the activists we look up to in those days of Nigeria’s struggles, especially during the military era are still alive but it is a pity that many of them are silent. Also, many people that we are looking up to, people like Governors Kayode Fayemi, Adams Oshiomhole, Rauf Aregbesola, among others are now in government and you need to speak to them in another manner. Even when you have issues to discuss with them, there are barricades, you can’t reach them. We (human rights activists and people in the civil society groups) know that we have problems and our problem is that we don’t know how to solve the problem just like the problem of Nigeria. I believe there is need for all of us in the civil society to sit round the table and discuss the way forward. Nigerians must also wake up and take their destiny into their hands by taking actions.

Keeping ABREAST

Alcohol in pregnancy linked to child behaviour problems

new study from Perth’s Telethon Institute for Child Health Research has found evidence that the amount and timing of alcohol consumption in pregnancy affects child behaviour in different ways. . According to the lead researcher, the analysis was drawn from a random sample of more than 2000 mothers who completed a questionnaire three months after the baby’s delivery, and were then followed up when the child was 2, 5 and 8 years of age. “Mothers who reported what we would classify as heavy drinking in the first trimester of pregnancy were nearly three times as likely to report that their child suffered with anxiety and/or depression or somatic complaints,” she said. “Those who drank moderately during that first trimester were twice as likely to report those types of behavioural issues for their child. “Exposure to moderate or heavy levels of alcohol in late pregnancy increased the risk of aggressive types of behaviours in the child. “This research suggests that both the timing and the intensity of alcohol exposure in the womb affect the type of behaviour problems expressed.” In this study, low levels of alcohol did not increase the risk of harm to the baby. However, the evidence clearly shows that the risk to the baby increases with increasing amounts

consumed. “It should also be noted that in this study moderate exposure is classified as drinking 3-4 standard drinks per occasion- that’s about two normal glasses of wine-and no more than a bottle of wine drunk over a week.” Heavy drinking included women who were drinking the equivalent of more than a bottle of wine per week. It is important that women who had consumed alcohol while pregnant are not panicked by the findings. “Not every smoker gets lung cancer despite them being at higher risk - and in this case, not every child will be affected by prenatal exposure to alcohol. However it is important that women have this information about increased risk so that they can make informed decisions to give their child the best start to life,” added the researchers.. The National Health and Medical Research Council recommend that the safest choice for women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy is to abstain from alcohol. The study also suggested that health professionals can assist by talking to women of child bearing age about their alcohol consumption and encouraging pregnant women and women planning a pregnancy to abstain from alcohol. Culled from wikipedia.org

www.

Commons.

November 24, 2012

Parenting

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Children are like wet cement. Whatever falls on them makes an impression

Avoiding domestic accidents: 13 golden rules D omestic accidents are an integral part of our lives and one cannot ignore them completely. Especially when you have small children in your house and a lot of clutter as well, you must expect some form of contingencies in your house. The best way to prevent such accidents is to exercise caution where you can. Many times, adults too fall victim to domestic accidents. Besides implementing appropriate steps to avoid such accidents, also maintain a complete first aid box to provide immediate medical attention to the person. The following are rules to avoid domestic accidents so your loved ones are safe:

Avoid too much clutter at home The more your house is cluttered, the greater are the chances that anyone could face contingencies. This happens because things are not organized and are thus placed at the wrong places. For example, scissors on your bed or over your sofa can be equally dangerous for both children and adults. Keep dangerous items out of reach of children Dangerous items include sharp items, glass items, cleaners, chemicals, blades, sharp tools, match boxes etc.

Children are not aware of the consequences of the wrong use of these items and your absence can be very dangerous.

Keep glass bottles, frames and mirrors at safe places Take off even slightly scratched glass from your coffee table, Keep the garage closed at all dining table, picture frames etc. These can be equally dangerous times Garages should be kept closed for both adults and children. Arrange glass furniture and at all times of the day when no one’s around since it has decoration pieces wisely as equipment, tools, flammable anyone might knock over them. liquid and maybe chemicals that Avoid placing heavy glass at low can be dangerous for any one levels in smaller settings. including adults who do not know the correct usage of such things. Do not leave your children alone in bathrooms Ensure the pool area is fenced Children love playing with This is really important when water and everyone else does you have small children in your too, but doing so in a bathtub house. Install fences so that even in the bathroom can be fatal as if your child strolls around, there well! is no danger of him/her drowning in the pool. Keep your store room locked away Keep away sharp objects in the Store rooms are hardly ever kitchen out of chlidren’s reach very clean and organized. Children make their way inside Mostly, people keep them full of kitchens very easily and you old furniture, and things that cannot shun them always, instead can be potentially harmful in keep away sharp objects away and storerooms. A storeroom full do not leave them on counter-tops of such items is surely a great threat for anyone. and tables. Never let your children come near the gas oven or hold knobs Gas ovens alone account for a high number of domestic accidents. Keep your child away from gas ovens and gas knobs. Tell them it’s very dangerous right away so they do not come into contact with them even if you are away.

Talking to children. While not always be able to understand the gravity of their actions somehow must inculcate certain behaviours and warn of certain risks, always clear and simple words, you know. It is important to consider that children can remember everything you tell an adult at any time. If

rowing into a fully formed human being is a long process, and scientists have found that unborn babies not only hiccup, swallow and stretch in the womb, they yawn too. A 4D ultrasound scan shows a foetus yawning in the womb during a study Researchers who studied 4D scans of 15 healthy foetuses also said they think yawning is a developmental process which could potentially give doctors a new way to check on a baby’s health. While some scientists have previously suggested that foetuses yawn, others disagree and say it is nothing more than a developing baby opening and stretching its mouth. But writing in the journal PLOS ONE last weeky, British researchers said their study was able to clearly distinguish yawning from “non-yawn mouth opening” based on how

to make the small take some medicine easier adults are called “candy”, it is possible that, at the slightest opportunity, the child seeks to take those “forbidden candy.” So, you can never neglect the responsibility of adults to behaviours of children.

Do not leave them alone Especially when they are very small. If parents are away from

home, it is advisable to seek out someone to accompany and monitor their children. As children grow, this rule can be relaxed. Use monitoring mechanisms or intercom. That technology exists. The intercom (audio only both as audio and video) are acquired for very affordable prices and give a big advantage to keep small controlled.

Tiny Feet

NAME: Ogunsunmi Emmanuel Olumide BORN TO: Mr. and Mrs Ogunsumi AGE: 3 months BIRTH WEIGHT: 3.6 kg

Have you just had a baby? Send a picture of your bundle of joy to mirrorbabies@gmail.com

ParentingUpdate

4D scans show foetuses yawn in the womb long the mouth was open. The researchers did this by using 4D video footage to examine all the times when foetuses opened their mouths. Nadja Reissland of Durham University’s department of Psychology, who led the study, said the function and importance of yawning in foetuses is still unknown, but the findings suggest it may be linked to foetal development and could provide a further indication of the health of the unborn baby. “Unlike us, foetuses do not yawn contagiously, nor do

they yawn because they are sleepy,” she said. “Instead, the frequency of yawning in the womb may be linked to the maturing of the brain early in gestation.” The study was carried out on eight female and seven male foetuses from 24 to 36 weeks gestation. The researchers found that yawning declined from 28 weeks and that there was no significant difference in how often boys and girls yawned. Culled from www.reuters/ drnaija.com

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

November 24, 2012

le StyGlam and

with Yemisi Adeniran

(08037801158) ydiran@yahoo.com

ag is the accessory that adds finishing touches to your look. It can make your outfit or completely break it. So, be careful when choosing your next handbag as your goal is to accentuate your best areas while hiding the problem ones. •Women with big breasts and heavy shoulders should avoid bags with short handles as these usually finish right around the bust area. Choosing bags with longer handles will distract attention from your bust and shoulders. In case your aim is to boost the breast area visually short-handled bags or clutches will be perfect. •Wide waist, large stomach and

big hips can look be less noticeable if you wear bags that finish right under your arm. Stay away from bags that go down to your midriff or hips, this will attract attention to your bulges. Big totes will look unflattering as well as bags with big funky details. •If you are lucky to have a slim waist, bag with handles of an average length will be a good option as well as a clutch. Modern clutch can be either tiny for evenings out or middle-sized to be roomy enough for all those items you always need to have with you. •Girls with long slim legs can wear bags with long handles and look great. Messenger type will

work best. But ladies with short legs should choose classic shapes and sizes. •Women of larger frames should avoid tiny bags as they will look even bigger. You need well-tailored bags of average sizes. Choose from medium-large range. Clutches will be fantastic, but again choose oversized ones to keep proportion. •Tall and skinny girls can opt for broad and slouchy bags. Long bags will look unflattering. •Short women will want to look taller. This is easy to do if you select long and lanky bags that go in colour harmony with your outfits. Stay away from wide oversized totes as they will make you look even shorter

STYLE & GLAM

BEAUTY

Q&A

November 24, 2012

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Your candid response to all fashion questions

How to deal with dry, chapped lips Before applying moisturisers or foundation to your body, you really

should exfoliate first. Why? Because the product will stick to the dead stuff without soaking in. The same rule applies to the lips. As we age, our lips lose oils and their plumpness. To maintain your full plump factor and keep lips looking smooth, make sure to keep lips exfoliated all year round. All it takes to exfoliate your cracked lips is an old toothbrush and a

dollop of p if your lip As we a okay with of money moDerm a

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

STYLE & GLAM

November 24, 2012

Facelift

Fashion Frenzy

Get rid of puffy eyes and dark circles at home

How to dress a big bust YEMISI ADENIRAN

ig bust, these days is the desire of many women. Yes, it looks really nice and men like it but there are some situations when you just don’t want to own such a treasure. For example, when choosing garments, if special cautions are not taken, you may end up with an ugly look. The following, however, are tips on how to make your breasts look gorgeous but not too huge. 1. Pay particular attention to the bra selection. Remember that it shouldn’t make your bust look bigger or compress it too much so that you have bulges on your sides. For a better support choose the bra with wide straps. Try each bra you buy because you can run the risk of purchasing the wrong size. 2. No tops with thin straps are for you unfortunately.

petroleum jelly. Use a hydrating lip balm under your lipstick ps seem dry. age, our lips wrinkle. Now there are those people who are h this and there are those of us who are not. If you have a lot to burn, there’s a fix: injectable fillers like Restylane or Cosand laser resurfacing. The fillers will plump up your lips and

Flattering neckline F Fl i klii kl iis iimportant when you have a full breast. The best choice is a deep V-neck. 3. When selecting a swimsuit remember to provide good support for your bust. 4. Wear jackets and coats of solid colours with a deep V-neck neckline. 5. Sweaters with deep V-neck and smooth knitting are good for you. The perfect variant is a classic loose-fitting sweater. Steer clear of tight-fitting models as they will accentuate your bust. 6. Beware of dolman sleeves, halter necks, and hooded tops and T-shirts. 7. Accessories. Huge beads and necklaces are not for you. Chains, tiny bead lines, small medallions and amulets creating a V-shape on your décolleté area are great for you.

the lasers will work on the lines that feather out from the lips. If you do choose to go this route, recommend finding a good doctor who comes highly recommended, otherwise you might end up with funny lips. It’s pricey. But if you don’t want to spend the money? Temporarily plump lips with a lip balm. Exfoliate with Vaseline and use a gloss. These tips are much cheaper than a doctor’s visit and they work wonders.

Puffy eyes are just not something that you are willing to wear to the office or school unless you are born with it. In a way, having puffy eyes is like having a big zit on your nose, only you can’t pop the puffiness. Meanwhile, you really do not have to lose your hair over your puffy eyes. Cold splash. An easy and cool way to bring back your eyes to their normal appearance is to splash cold water directly on your eye area and the rest of your face. The cold temperature of the water is all you need to jumpstart the fluid circulation in your face. Tea bag patch. Try using teabags. Two teabags moistened by cold water and patched on your puffy eyes for five to ten minutes can reinvigorate your eyes and hold off the puffiness. Again, the coldness of the teabags can help to increase circulation in your face. But more than that, tea has tannin that can also help in tightening the skin in your eye area; thereby, effectively decreasing the bulge in your eyes. Take medication. Sometimes, eye puffiness can be caused by factors other than fluid circulation in the face. For instance, if you are having your menstruation, your body may retain more fluids at the onset of your period; hence, our eyes may become puffy. If this is the case, take over-the-counter diuretic medications to help flush out excess fluids in your system. • Limit your intake of sodium • Drink plenty of water to flush out your system • Place cool cucumber slices over the eyes or cold wet teabags • Use a soothing eye cream with aloe and Vitamin E • Avoid bending the head down for long periods of time • Avoid staying up late at night • You can also treat your eyes with creams for a more lasting solution to eye puffiness. • If your eye puffiness is due to an allergic reaction, over-the-counter antihistamine medicines can help flatten the puffiness. TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK

November 24, 2012

Male Essentials

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

08036961187

with Oseyiza Oogbodo kingseiza@yahoo.com w

Parting mode R

eally, when you set your mind to it, you’ll discover that it’s quite easy to be fashionable. Being different is what fashion is all about so when you adopt a fashion style that is not too in vogue or is totally your own creation, then you can be really sure of being seen as fashionable. And that’s the case with hair parting. There was a time it was the vogue that every man had to do it. Nowadays, it’s not that common so the men who are parting their hair now are standing out from the crowd fashion-wise. eLDee is one such man, likewise Skales, Sabi and Jesse Jagz. A m o n g this quartet, Skales’ parting is the most distinctive because it is his own original creation while the remaining three flow with multiple parting.

10 secrets to the perfect shave

f you’re trying to figure out how to improve the quality of your shave, the internet will just confuse you. Not only is the advice offered often conflicting, but the array of products that different sources recommend is hard to understand and not cheap to test out. All the same, I’ve tried virtually everything over the years. Like most guys, I started out with a can of Edge gel, then a can of Barbasol. As I got older, I tried branching out, first buying more expensive cans, then graduating to pricey tubs and tubes of ointment. The problem with all of these was that there was no discernible difference in the quality of my shave. That was, until I took the simplest advice anyone had given me: Use a bar of soap and a brush. Before you shave, you need to know the basic rules of the game. They go like this: 1. You need a good razor with a fresh, sharp blade. The multi-blade cartridge razors are great, but you can still get a great shave with a disposable if you do it right. 2. You need a shaving brush, preferably one made of badger’s hair, because that’s the only fiber that will carry water from the sink up to your face to give you the best lather. 3. You need hot water, which you apply to your face for some time before you start shaving. The best way to do this is to wash your face in the shower, then soak your face with a hot, moist facecloth for a minute or two before shaving.

You also need a bowl of hot water to refresh your razor as you go. 4. You need to shave with the grain in short strokes of no more than an inch or two, between which you wet your razor in hot water. 5. You need to make sure to reduce friction between your razor and your face as much as you can. Even though you should never hold your razor hard against your face, the best shave will leave you feeling as though the razor is gliding effortlessly across your hair follicles -- like a Lawn-Boy rather than a push-mower. This last rule explains why we use shaving cream, but it also explains why most shaving creams, foams and ointments let us down. If you can feel the razor rubbing against your face, your shaving cream has failed in its singular task -- to lubricate your skin. The answer of how to get the best shave is, in my experience, counterintuitive. It’s the cheapest method, but has also remained for me the most reliable. Even as every year I experiment with a new cream or gel to see if I can improve upon it, nothing exceeds old reliable. My magic bullet? A bar of Ivory soap. Other soaps work well, too. In my experience, they each provide a superior shave, because soap, by nature, is slippery as hell, and if you want a quality shave, you need slippery skin. To be continued next week

People

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

November 24, 2012

Bayo Ibitayo: Economist turned educationist FUNMI SALOME JOHNSON

ayo Ibitayo, holds a first degree in Economics and a master’s degree in International Relations, but he has chosen helping others to secure their future in education as his career. This is probably born out of the current educational pursuit among the Nigerian affluent. It is common knowledge now that for the nation’s affluent, studying abroad is fast becoming a fad especially so because of the decline in the country’s educational system as well as various interruptions in its calendar. Now, a lot of people who have the wherewithal seek overseas education. For over eight years Ibitayo, who is the Managing Director of Franice-Forte and Associates, has assisted several students in gaining admission into overseas’ schools of their choice that are also suitable for their circumstance. According to Ibitayo, it is not just enough to say one wants to study in the Americas or Europe when one’s financial capacity is in doubt. Overseas study, he stressed, is expensive, however, if properly planned;

someone could manage their resources and see themselves through school. “Some would come to tell me that they want to study in America or Europe. The first questions I ask them are: how financially enabled are you, who is sponsoring you, are your parents able and ready to give you the support or are you self sponsored? I also give them the many options available at different parts of the world and help them in choosing one that best suits their circumstance,” Ibitayo explained. He further disclosed that the decline in the educational sector is one of the propelling factors that make overseas study a choice for many. “A lot of these students who come to us seeking admission have tried severally to secure admission in Nigerian schools with little or no positive results. Thus for such who could afford studying abroad, they quickly opt for it” he added. Another factor for the choice according to Ibitayo is that admissions in Nigeria are only done once in a year while in many of the schools abroad, there are two or three admissions within the same period and so more students are admitted into their

schools” On the challenges of being a recruitment agent, Ibitayo noted that there is no structure yet on ground for school recruitment agencies in Nigeria. “I belong to the International Association and Conference on Foreign Education which has its headquarters in Germany. We have conferences on a yearly basis at different locations in the world. I am just trying to get some of my contemporaries to come together so we can form an association for the Nigerian body so that it will be easy to tell who is a fake agent and who is not. This is very important because some are coming in with the mindset of duping people and not getting anything done for them” he said. For Ibitayo, fulfilment is when he looks back to the numerous people he has assisted in securing admission into various schools abroad and who are now graduates and doing well in the society. “I have a lot of my students who are already graduates and are doing really well in the society today and each time I see them or get calls from them, I feel much fulfilled.”

Kehinde Bankole: Actress in her own class OSEYIZA OOGBODO

ehinde Bankole’s face is known all over Nigeria and probably beyond. It is seen regularly on the country’s television screens either in soap opera, movie, magazine programme or advertisement. But describing her career, Bankole says: “I’m an entrepreneur. I’m more into anything that has to do with the media. I can present, anchor shows, sing, act, model and all that. These are all professions that are closely associated with the media and they bring money, so they are what I do.” It is not easy to master just one trade, how much more several at the same time. But how is she able to involve herself in several professions all at the same time? “When I decide to take up a vocation as a career, I do so with a serious sense of purpose, as if I’m on a mission to attain something and I mustn’t fail. I learn whatever I have to learn, get people to tutor me, help me , direct me, and then I sit down on my own and keep working by myself on

what I’ve learnt to become the best I can be in that particular vocation,” she says. Today, Bankole is riding high as an actress, TV presenter, singer and model. She has attained a height that many upcoming entertainers are still dreaming of. There is, however, driving a driving factor behind this force: money. “My media entrepreneurship aspirations started with the need to make money, to sustain myself, to survive. So it all started by me singing to make money to survive,” she adds. After making the above disclosure, she went down memory lane, recalled things more clearly and corrected her narration of the sequence of events of how her multifaceted career began. “It all started from modelling. And what inspired the modelling was that I went for a beauty pageant, Miss Commonwealth, in 2003. I didn’t win, but I made the top 10 and it made me realise that even if I didn’t get the crown or make the top two, I could still make money from modelling. And I’ve always had the need to make money.” Why the desperation, obviously, to make

money, Saturday Mirror People asked her? Was she perhaps from a very poor background? “I’m not from a poor background,” was her response. “I’m from a moderate home. But the need to make money came from discipline and the spirit of independence. You want to be able to do something for yourself. It’s not everything that your parents can do for you. “You have to do certain things for yourself. And to get those certain things done, you’ll sit down and think and ask yourself what you can do to make things work for you the way you want. You cannot go into prostitution. It doesn’t make sense in the long run. “But even prostitution takes an effort. They are very courageous, bold people who go through a lot of physical, mental and social torment. The bottom-line is that everything you get takes an amount of work. So I told myself, I need this, I need that, let me not bother my parents about this and that, let me be independent to provide this and that for myself. So that’s how the need to make money came about.”

Dear Igho

November 24, 2012

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

TTel: e 08023924679 (SMS only) ighomit@gmail.com

Having diﬃculties with relationships, family, work or any other aspectt off your life? lif Help is at hand with TOBORE IGHO OVUORIE

Help! Can I abort a 7month pregnancy? Dear Igho, Please can a pregnancy of seven months still be terminated? Pregnant Girl, Lagos. Dear Pregnant girl, I say a candid NO to termination of pregnancies, how much more that which is seven months old! Why on earth do you want to terminate a precious gift from God? Do you know several women are praying to be pregnant? No matter what could have led to the pregnancy and your wanting to abort it, I’ll advise you patiently wait for the next two months and give birth. You could lose your life in the process of terminating it or even have your womb damaged. So erase that thought completely. Rather, start planning for the baby’s arrival and how to care for him/her after birth. But if you are still dependent on your family and have no one to support you in caring for the child after delivery, send me a text message via the number you used in sending me this text and I’ll assist you with an NGO that will care for you. I’m awaiting your response and praying for your safe delivery. Stay blessed my dear.

Dear Igho, I’m 12 years old and in the eighth grade. Last year, a male and I were best friends. We would tell each other everything. By the way, he’s popular. The problem is this year we aren’t in any class together, and we don’t talk. I don’t know how to tell him that I miss our friendship without me being afraid that he will think I’m a nobody and will never speak to me again. Or could it be that he’s ignoring me? Anuoluwa, Grange School, Lagos.

Is he ignoring me? Dear Anuoluwa, You have every right to tell him how you feel. You miss the friendship. Then, the ball’s in his court, so to speak. There’s no need to feel as if you’re lesser because he’s “popular.” Who made him king? Or is he oxygen? If he’s the type of guy who lacks heart because of some social status, you haven’t lost much. At your age,

What could be wrong with her? Dear Igho, I met a girl I really like but she recently broke up with her boyfriend. I am actually lost. Initially she showed interest as we spoke a lot, but then she got distant. Now she rarely speaks to me, but she came around to my house last week to say hi. I don’t know what I should do. Though she said

she likes me, maybe I am missing something. Will you give me some advice that will help me sleep, at least? Kelvin Briggs, Port Harcourt.

Dear Kelvin, When someone breaks off a relationship, it is usually, an emotional upheaval in his or

especially, friendships can be fleeting. One day you’re best friends with someone, and the next it can change because circumstances in your lives change. That can be true at any age, really. You and he have no classes together, and it makes it harder to connect. But if you do reach out, you don’t have to get soppy about it. Hold your head high and tell him, “Hey,

her life, and it’s sometimes hard to let go. Perhaps she still has feelings for her ex and will get back with him; although redo relationships seldom work. But tell that to them! The heart may want what the heart wants, but it can also lead us off an emotional cliff. I wish I had a dime for every time I’ve written that line! And that’s why you wouldn’t want to force the issue. You can let her know you’re still interested, but she would have to come to you with the past in the past, and not you as her “rebound” guy. Wishing you the best in love.

I miss not talking to you. What’s going on? Want to hang out soon?” If he doesn’t reply, or puts you off, as I said, you’re going to have to accept that’s just who he is now. Change in others is one thing that’s sometimes hardest for us to accept. But if he has moved on, do not think that it’s anything you’ve done wrong, or you’re not worthy. This is just one of life’s tough lessons.

Life partners urgently needed Dear Igho, I am 31years old and God fearing, single hard working and honest Igbo man. I need an honest and God fearing, matured and hardworking Igbo woman between 27 to 30 years. Interested women can contact me on 08131222413.

Dear Igho, I’m 33 years old and a single mum. I need a God- fearing, honest, caring, good-looking, working-class Yoruba man of 38-40years who reside in Lagos for marriage. Any interested man could reach me on 08083530098 or 08180671319.

Living

Over 75 per cent of the world’s population is estimated to be using herbal medicine. But are herbal concoctions completely harmless? YEMISI ADENIRAN spoke to the parents of Baby Amuda who died after his mother gave him a herbal concoction and Adeoye Babatunde, who had an erection for five days after using a herbal aphrodisiac

hen 15 days old Damilola Amuda suddenly took ill on March 28 this year, his parents assumed his illness was one common to babies of his age. But in less than six hours, his condition worsened, forcing his father who was at first indifferent to get up from his bed to attend to him. By that time, Damilola had suffered convulsions and was looking unbelievably pale. Alarmed, they rushed him to the nearest hospital, Grace Hospital, at Ajuwon area of Ogun State for medical attention. Then, Damilola was half- conscious. As doctors battled to save his life; the parents, both in their late 30s, paced up and down the corridor, praying for the doctors to be successful. Unfortunately, their prayers were not answered. Some few minutes after they arrived at the hospital, the doctor came out with an advice that they should take the little boy to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) for a special medical attention. Although that sounded more alarming, the hapless couple took to the doctor’s advice promptly and headed for LUTH. This was around 2 a.m. A look at the baby gave a hopeless signal but since he was still breathing, though very weakly, they wouldn’t give up trying. Painfully, they had barely moved for an hour when the father who was carrying the baby noticed that he had stopped breathing. “Right there I felt a tightening around my chest. I thought I was going numb. I was shivering all at once. My friend who was driving us noticed this and knew something was wrong. He changed the direction of the vehicle and my wife immediately

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

November 24, 2012

Herbs for life or death?

suspecting a sad turn of event. She started wailing. We had to quickly park the car, so that I would go and sit beside her, console her in spite of my own pain,” Gabriel Amuda recalled. That Damilola died almost before he saw the light of this world was not any big deal but the circumstances leading to his death. According to the findings of the doctors at the Grace Hospital where Damilola was first taken, his kidneys and liver were damaged by some dangerous liquid substance administered on him. The liquid substance, according to Gabriel, was none other than the herbal drinks cooked for him by his mother. Hard as it was for the Amudas to admit that their child was indeed killed by the herbal mixture they administered on him, the herbalist who gave them the mixture affirmed it. “When the news of Damilola’s death got to the woman from whom we got the herbs, I was shocked to hear her say my wife should have brought the baby before buying all the herbs she cooked for him. She said the mixture was too strong for his age and that was what led to her death,” he said. This revelation is not only saddening to Damilola’s parents but it has made them to live with the guilt of carelessness up till date. Elsewhere a similar scenario played out. At Isaga in Iju area of Lagos State, Adeoye Babatunde almost got a death penalty from his addiction to herbal drinks. Since it was not his first time of taking herbal mixture, he never expected the result he got. On the fateful night of Thursday of February 12 with the valentine season in the

Mrs. Amuda

air, Babatunde was eager to have a swell time with his wife who was billed to return home the following day from the Osun State Polytechnic where she was running a Higher National Diploma(HND) programme. “I went to a popular herbal drinks trader some two streets from our place and got a brand of the popular aphrodisiac known as Alomo. My wife had been away for some time and I wanted her to enjoy me in a different way,” he recalled. Unfortunately, the story ended sourly. Though the medicine was potent enough for Babatunde to go the many rounds of sexual intercourse he desired, his manhood refused to be calmed down. “At first, I thought it was a joke. We slept off after we were both tired but I was surprised when I woke up and my manhood still stood erect as if we had not done anything. I was still not quite scared because I knew it must have been as a result of the drink I took. I drew closer to my wife and went for another round. By this time, she

was tired and appeared not to want more. I was also tired but I needed to bring my manhood down. We had it quite well but it was not any solution to my desire. That was when I knew I was in trouble,” said Babatunde. As predicted, hell was let loose 24 hours after Babatunde’s fun times. Anxiety, despair and of course agony set in. “I could neither sit nor sleep normally again. As a matter of fact, I could not go anywhere again. My wife was not only alarmed at my self-inflicted predicament after I had confessed my action to her, she was embarrassed. Are we looking for a child? Even if we were, is this the recommended way, she had queried me. I was just pleading with her,” continued Babatunde. But the worst was not over. When after two days and the situation persisted, the couple decided to go in search of the herbalist. They found out he would not come until the evening of the following day. “I thought I was going to die,” Babatunde said. “I had to send a text message to my office at Acme Road at Ogba area of Lagos that I was sick and on an admission in an undisclosed hospital otherwise, my colleagues would have trooped into my house to wish me quick recovery. In fact, I had never been absent from work for that long for any reason. But how could I have explained myself with an erection?” So, he and his wife concluded on suffering in silence. When the D-day finally came, the wife met the herbalist and implored that he followed her home. The man, obviously shocked at the turn out of event, responsibly followed the woman home. “He gave me an antidote in two bottles to

LIVING

November 24, 2012

Herbs for life or death?

drink three times daily and I immediately commenced using them,” he said. But did respite come immediately? “No” was Babatunde’s response. “I could have cried out at least to my parents in the village but because I saw that the pain I was feeling was going down gradually. On the first day that I took the mixture he brought, I slept so soundly for about eight hours which was not so before that time. That was the fifth day. This went on for the next six days. On the eleventh day, I saw that my penis was totally relieved. I couldn’t be more grateful.” Strangely, the Babatundes were still exasperated. While Babatunde was heaving a sigh of relief, the wife remained indifferent. For her, the whole experience might have a negative implication in future. According to Babatunde, his wife nursed the fear of impotence and infertility or both. His words: “There was actually another fear. What if I am not sexually active again or have low sperm count as a result of all that I have put myself through? I was scared stiff.” They both decided to visit a specialist at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH). After five or six weeks of consecutive visits to the hospital and with a number of tests, he was certified okay. To prove the doctor right and be self-convinced, both husband and wife decided to go on child- making again. “This was against our previous agreement but we had to do it to be sure. We have a child before but we needed to be sure. We knew it would inconvenient my wife’s stud-

ies but we just must do something,” he said. As desired, Babatunde’s wife became pregnant and should be due sometime in December. While the Babatundes hope seems to be alive once more, he warns strongly against the use of any form of aphrodisiacs, particularly, local ones. “I am not saying herbs are not good. They are, I was used to them and have been saved by it. But we must all be very careful the way we have strongly turned to them in their various forms. Imagine if the herbalist who sold that mixture for me had shifted base. I could have died because when I told the doctor at LASUTH my situation,

he was shocked and asked me to thank my stars for being alive. He said I could have died or become impotent after all. Whatever it is, I can never go near these sexual energizers again. Myself and my wife decided to have another child now at least to make them two should anything happen in the future. Thank God for my wife who stood by me till now,” he concluded. While the above scenario painted a negative picture of the use of herbal medicines, many Nigerians still favour it for a number of reasons. Mr Duru Koye, a furniture maker at Alaba area of Lagos State uses herbal medicines in its different forms for several ailments for his family members. He is in

‘Herbal medicine is neither dangerous nor fetish’

Dr. Banji Filani of Sound Health Centre spoke on the safety of herbal concotions.

“H

erbal medicine is neither dangerous nor fetish. The problem with people is that anything traditional is attributed to fetishism. They use it in China and bring it here; we don’t question that (examples are Tianshi and Tasly Kasly products), but because it is ours, people think it goes with fetish power. I am a Christian. I was brought up a Christian, I know nothing about incantations. Take for instance, bitter leaf. Many don’t know that it has the power to treat some ailments. Bitter leaf can cure diabetes and cleanse the blood. You don’t need to chant any incantation for it to work. The same goes for other herbs. It is only that most times you have to put two or more together for them to work effectively. Another example is the mango tree. Nothing is useless in a mango tree; even the mistletoe you find on it is for curing hypertension. Everything is not a matter of using herb; we can easily tell you what to eat and what not to eat (diet and nutrition) and that alone may be the cure of ailments. So, as a Christian, I am a member of the Christ Apostolic Church, the church of Baba Sadela. I only believe in treating with natural herbs, not attaching anything spiritual to it. Another example is the common maize we eat. The botanical name is sea maize. Those string-like things that

Filani

come out with corn that many people remove while eating the maize has curative content to treat hypertension, diabetes and even oedema. Therefore is no incantation needed in herbal practice. One only needs to know what and what to put together. Herbal practice is simply the use of herbs for treatment. Nothing more, nothing less. Herbal medicines, also called botanical medicines or phytomedicines, refer to herbs, herbal materials, herbal preparations and finished herbal products that contain parts of plants or other plant materials as active ingredients. The plant materials include seeds, berries, roots, leaves, bark or flowers. Many drugs used in conventional medicine were originally derived from plants. Salicylic acid is a precursor of aspirin that

was originally derived from white willow bark and the meadowsweet plant (Filipendula ulmaria (L.) Maxim. Quinine and Artemesinin are anti-malarial drugs derived from Cinchona pubescence Vahl bark and Artemisia annua L. plant, respectively. Vincristine is an anticancer drug derived from periwinkle (Cantharnthus rosues Linn. G. Donn). Morphine, codeine, and paregoric, derived from the opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.) are used in the treatment of diarrhoea and pain. Digitalis is a cardiac glycoside derived from foxglove plant (Digitalis purpurea L.) an herb in use since 1775.” On those who suffered bad fate in the use of herbs: “They are just unlucky. It is either they took an overdose, a wrong prescription or an expired mixture. There are fake traditional doctors just as we have fake orthodox doctors. Nigerians should beware so as not to fall into wrong hands. Practitioners who have good reputations would never want to do anything that will tarnish their names and good records. It is risky to patronise unknown practitioners who may not be reachable should there be any negative development on the drugs you have been given. If you go to a hospital and a negative development emerges, I am sure you will go back to complain. But if you have gone through some prescriptions by some unidentifiable personnel, you will be blamed by all and you will blame yourself for whatever happens. The same rule is applicable to us.”

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its full support and campaigns for its continual use. His reasons: “Nigeria is an African country; therefore, I am an African. I love traditional things; they have been existing since the time of our fore-fathers. They are potent, and I tell you, are more effective than the various orthodox medicines that we have all around. I have been on it for the past two or more decades and I have had no regrets.” Supporting him closely is Chukuemeka Gladys, another marketer in the same area. For her, herbal medicines are not just potent; they are cheaper and accessible to patrons. “Some 12 years back, I just delivered a child and she was having this incessant stomach ache. Whenever the pain came, she would not even accept breast milk not to talk of water. She would cry and stretch so much that we became so scared. We went to the hospital and she was diagnosed of cramps or something. They administered some drugs on her, Buscopan and some other ones but the pain did not go. One day, one of my elder sisters visited us and advised that we got some herbal drinks made of efinrin and others. I was sceptical at first and did not want to use it especially because the odour of the mixture was very offensive. I couldn’t imagine my pretty girl drinking such a smelly thing and at her age. But I gave her after some thought and believe me; it brought an end to her pains. I did not even use it for her for more than three times. I stopped using it since the pain stopped,” she said.

‘It is a quick path to death’

Akinola

Dr. Kayode Akinola is of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH). He is strongly against the use of herbal drinks.

“E

xperience has shown that truly a lot of Nigerians are turning unto the use of herbal drugs as a better alternative to orthodox medicine. This is not good as I will blame the step on poverty. Many who have ended up with us at the hospital confirmed this. The most painful part of it is that they usually spend more than what they would have spent had they come at the onset of their ailment. It may be cheap but, I tell you, it is a quick path to death.”

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LIVING

November 24, 2012

Traditional doctor on the run

z Product kills three at Ogun/Lagos boundary

Sisi Alagbo sells herbal concoctions. But her stall at the Ogun/Lagos states boundary is now under lock and key. Why did she close shop? OYINKAN SOMORIN

t Aiyetoro Bustop, one of the settlements on the boundary between Lagos and Ogun states, is a female herbs seller who is popular and heavily patronised. Her name is practically synonymous with healing the traditional way. Her stall is always jam-packed with assorted herbs, leaves and roots. For the greater part of the day, some cauldrons bubbling with herbal concoction simmer over roaring flames from tripods packed full of firewood as the popular herbalist attends to her teeming patrons who consist of the old, the not so old and the young of both sexes. The herb seller is Mrs. Anu Opakunle who is popularly known as Sisi Alagbo. Her herbs, it is said, were highly effective in the treatment malaria, typhoid, erectile dysfunction and common sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhoea and the likes. But that the scenario described above is now past. Sisi Alagbo is currently on the run. Her herbal concoction known in the Yoruba language as agbo has allegedly sent some three young men to their early graves. One fateful evening late last month some people paid Sisi Alagbo a visit. With long faces and anger etched on their faces frowns three men came to her shop asking after her. This caused a scene as the customers who had been on ground thought the men wanted to sideline them to get the concoction. This caught her attention, wanting to know what was causing the problem, she went to investigate the matter and there she found out that the men who were looking for her are the family members of one of her customers known as Ibidapo Oke but

Miss Sikinat Adebowale, whose family has been in the herbal business for generations. How does agbo work? Agbo works in different ways; it is very good for the health, especially when orthodox medical treatment doesn’t work. Any challenges in the business? All businesses have challenges, for herbs there are too. Sometimes, the business is slow and customers don’t come like that and there are some times business is very fast. Talking of challenges, there are times when customers would buy herbs and come back to insult you that the herb did not work. There are some that would come back to give good news of what was given to them. The thing they don’t understand is that agbo is like a spirit. It depends on one’s faith in it. If you believe in it, it works for you. Another thing, it depends on the body system of an individual, once some people take the herbal mixture they

is popularly known to be called Gangan in the garage because of his love for music. Witness said Gangan was a loyal patron of Sisi Alagbo’s herbal mixture which he would take every morning before embarking on his duty in the garage. But that evening, his relatives claimed he was lying critically ill in an undisclosed private hospital as a result of the herbal mixture he took earlier in the day. After so much argument, to prove her innocence Sisi Alagbo took a sip of the herbal mixture she sold to the customers. But this wasn’t enough as they wanted her to follow them to the hospital where the Ibidapo was but she refused, saying she had no business with the hospitalized man because she wasn’t the only one selling herbal mixture in the area. Infuriated with her words, the men left in anger, only to return with the police, on sighting the police, the woman reportedly made a phone call and she went with them. Later that evening, some witnesses claimed she returned from the police station to close her shop for the night. Though they were surprised she closed on time that night because she was always known to be

the one of the last in the market to close shop for the day. That was the last anyone saw of Sisi Alagbo as she was conspicuously absent from her stall the following morning and ever since. The family of the hospitalised man came again with the police and found the shop locked which further increased their suspicion. Some few days later, it was said that two others also died from the same herbal mixture. Saturday Mirror spoke with Mr. Gbolahan Folorunsho who is the head in the garage. But he claimed said he doesn’t take the herbal mixture popularly called agbo. “I am very surprised that the woman can do such a thing, though I don’t take her herbal mixture. But if you ask me what I will tell you is that I don’t believe she killed the person, this boundary is big and there are different things sold in this place, who knows what they took, but for me I don’t believe she can do it,” he said. A source at the police station revealed that the woman’s case is still under investigation adding that the address she gave was fake and the person that came to bail her

‘Agbo doesn’t kill’ are cured while some have to take it for a long time. There is the general notion that agbo doesn’t have measurement scale. How does this affect you? Who told you agbo doesn’t have measurement, what about the small glass cups that people use in the garages, what about the cups used to sell? Agbo has measurement it just depends on how the person takes it. For babies I usually tell my customers to use teaspoons of agbo, and for adults, depending on how strong the Agbo is, I usually require my customers to take half cup of Agbo or a shot depending on the strength and body weight of the person. Does agbo have age limits? No, it doesn’t have age limit, anybody can take it, so far they don’t abuse it. Can it be abused? Yes, it can be abused. When you continue to take it without cause, when the real thing comes, it doesn’t work anymore.

Sikinat

Any test before Agbo can be used? As for test, I don’t know about that one, all I know is that when the person tells me what is wrong with them, I will surely know what to do; each herb is for each sickness. God that puts it there knows why he did.

also could not also be traced. “That woman is a criminal; we are still investigating the matter. We will arrest her that is all I can say for now”. Mr. Vincent Ogundipe is a driver in the garage. To him, what happened could be the handiwork of the woman’s enemies. “That day I bought agbo from Sisi Alagbo, and look at me nothing happened to me. As for the men who died it’s unfortunate but I don’t believe that Sisi Alagbo’s herb killed them. I won’t blame her either for running away. I would do the same thing because when a matter involves the police, God help you” Attempts to speak with fellow herbalists within the area proved abortive as they all refused to speak except one who claimed to be a close friend of Sis Alagbo. She also was too scared to let her name appear in print. “Evil people are all around us, Anu’s agbo is very good and people come from far and wide to drink it, I don’t know why they want to destroy her business, she never looked for trouble. She is always on her own. Let them check those people that died it is not Sisi alagbo’s mixture they took, her mixture doesn’t kill after all, I referred some of my customers to her that day, they are still alive” Saturday Mirror’s investigations revealed that Ibidapo died on his way to the hospital. Means of finding any relatives of the deceased proved abortive as Ibidapo was a tout in the garage and much attention wasn’t paid to him when he was alive.

‘Agbo is not ideal’

Johnson

A medical doctor from Universal Hospital Ayobo, Dr Taiwo Johnson, spoke on herbal mixtures Do you believe in herbal mixtures popularly called agbo I don’t. For me, agbo is not ideal for one’s health. Why do you say that? All the roots and herbs that people consume are not safe if they are not properly monitored, these things contain chemicals that can lower the immune system of the body. Yes, drugs are made from roots and herbs but they are well treated and tested before they are released for human consumption. Modern drugs are made with prescriptions but it is not so with agbo. Many of the road side herb sellers don’t even know the functions of their herbs; all they know is that it is for malaria or typhoid. They don’t even know the side effects of these concoctions that they prepare for human consumption. These things

LIVING

November 24, 2012

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econd-hand clothes and personal effects otherwise called Tokunbo, are popular among Nigerians irrespective of sex and race. Recent medical discovery has, however, traced a link between these stuffs and candidiasis, Hepatitis A, B and C beside other skin for which they are originally known. Yemisi Adeniran Mrs. Abimbola Ogedengbe (not real names) woke up one Monday morning with some sensation on her two legs. The legs itched her and she scratched them incessantly. Somehow she was relieved. She soon got dressed and left for work. But when she got to her office in Ikeja where she works as a secretary the itching began again. She started feeling uncomfortable and managed to get home trying very hard not to draw attention to herself as she scratched almost endlessly, having settled for a pair of flip-flop. At home, she engaged in self medication, washing the legs with antiseptic wash and powder. Although her efforts worked, they did not give her the required relief. Soon rashes formed on her legs, making it more uncomfortable to wear shoes. Sandals could also not go; hence she managed pairs of slippers even to the office. Noting that it was getting out of hand, she settled for the hospital where her problem was traced to one of her new pair of shoes. The red beautiful wedge shoes, cause of the rashes, had attracted her attention at a “bend down boutique” at Ikeja on her way home one evening. Familiar with fairly used materials, otherwise referred to as “tokunbo”, she went for them and got them at a good price. “They would make a good match for one of her clothes for church on Sunday,” she had thought when buying them. It was the pair of shoes which she wore to the church the Sunday after, she was convinced, gave her the itching and the subsequent rashes that defied her immediate treatment. She was given some doses of antibiotic to fight the infection, and after a long while, she was relieved. The infection was treated. Although Ogedengbe is used to “tokunbo” materials, that was perhaps the first time she would be infected. Like many Nigerians, there are no clothing materials, including bra and panties, that she had never bought as tokunbo. Besides, she was one of those who never believed that she could be infected in anyway by wearing “tokunbo” materials until she had the experience. Ever since, she has vowed to part ways with any “tokunbo” material – whether clothes or shoes. If anything, Ogedengbe’s experience is a corroboration of a recent alert by a medical expert, Dr. Elizabeth Uzorji who declared that the use of tokunbo clothes could lead to contacting candidiasis and Hepatitis A, B and C. Uzorji who spoke in Jos on Tuesday, November 13, said her position was hinged on the fact that the diseases were air borne. According to her, the diseases could be contracted very easily as a result of continuous use of second hand clothes. Speaking further on her discovery, she said: “Those who patronise second hand clothes do not have the slightest idea of who the first user was. “Those selling the wares also do not take their time to wash these clothes very well before marketing them.

Beware! That Tokunbo treasure may be your death “So the lack of adequate information about the negative effects of these second hand clothes among our people has placed users at high risk and a major cause of concern to public health experts.” Uzorji was particularly worried about some women who buy “tokunbo” undies. She said they might contract vaginal infections. Her advice, however, was that washing “tokunbo” clothes with warm water and detergents would go a long way in reducing risks. Scary as the alert by Uzorji may be, would Nigerians run away from used clothes imported into the country? Mrs Lovet Ibeh is a secondary school teacher in Ketu, Lagos. To her the idea of not patronising bend-down boutiques will not fly. Her reasons: “There is no point deceiving ourselves saying people should not buy second-hand clothes in Nigeria. Someone like me will not listen to you because these clothes no matter the language used to describe them are durable. I have been its fan for many years and I can assure you that they are better than new ones. You can be sure of wearing them for as long as you wish once you take care of them well.” Corroborating Ibeh is Gabriel Adigun, an undergraduate of the Lagos State University, (LASU), Ojoo. Adigun confessed his love for second-hand clothes because of its affordability. “These clothes no matter the way we look at them are cheap and are a bail out to many of us students. For instance, the Nigerian government that is

shouting ‘don’t wear it, we will ban it,’ has no plan ‘B’ for those of us who are enjoying ourselves with it. I, like many of my mates, want to look good, change our wears but we do not have the money. If not for these wears, I wonder how people like me would have been coping. We have been wearing these clothes for years now and I have not heard of anyone dying of being on the danger list in any hospital. If government wants to eradicate it, I will suggest they begin to cater for we students in a way, may be pay part of our school fees or cater for our food like we learnt they were doping some years ago,” Adigun advised. However, there are so many Nigerians who believe that the harm done by the use of tokunbo clothes is more than the pecuniary value. According to Mrs Helen David, a dentist at the Emmanuel Hospital, Ojodu,Berger in Lagos, the harm done by second-hand clothes to their users is worse than the good. “Those who are using secondhand clothes for any reason are doing so because of sheer ignorance. I have seen someone who contacted impetigo due to her preference for second-hand clothes. She thought it was some common skin rashes that we get time after time and was applying dusting powder and some other mild antidote. When she began to see thick rashes at every of her joints and corners of her mouth, she knew it was a serious matter. It was when she got to the hospital that they told her what was responsible – the second-hand clothes. We were living together in the same room then when I was

in the university and I knew how much pain and money she spent before she was totally healed. At the end of the day, the amount she spent to cure herself was more than she would have spent to buy new clothes. I can never buy second-hand clothe and I will never suggest it to anyone no matter his or her financial status or belief,” David stressed. Speaking from her personal experience, Kike Omoniyi, a mother of two who lives in Agege area of Lagos State says, she wouldn’t have stopped buying Tokunbo clothes but for the virginal infection she had. “I used to be a fan of Tokunbo clothes especially the underwear. They are good, cheaper and durable. Besides, they come in different styles that are just beautiful. I bought them regularly. At a particular time before I was married, I experienced a stubborn itch round my virginal and inside it. I was confused. I did not know where it came from. I knew I wasn’t careless and was dating only my husband then. I told him and we visited a clinic. It was right there they linked it with those second-hand undies. I was ashamed to even reveal it because the doctor, a female was so disappointed in me. She was obviously realizing that there were Tokunbo undies. She expressed shock and looked at me with such scorn that I really hated myself. I was like, how much are these new undies that I had to subject myself to such ridicule. My husband, then, my fiancé, was also disappointed CONTINUED ON PAGE 37

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LIVING

November 24, 2012

‘Users of second-hand clothes risk cancer, kidney, liver problems, death’ Dr Folusho Ajani of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, spoke with YEMISI ADENIRAN on how secondhand clothes can cause Hepatitis A, B and C, Candidiasis and other health complications to users. What are the diseases that can be gotten from secondhand clothes? These include Hepatitis A, B and C, Candidiasis, scabies, tinea corporis, chicken pox and others. What is hepatitis? Hepatitis is the inflammation of the liver cells resulting from injury. The injury can be from infection(in most cases), alcohol, toxins or even the body’s own immune system(abnormal) Hepatitis infection is majorly due to seven different viruses: hepatitis A,B,C,D,E,X and G. However, other infectious agents have been known to cause hepatitis in minor cases. Viral hepatitis can be contracted through different means depending on the type of virus: Hepatitis A and E are transmitted through the feco-oral route which is by ingesting infected food and water; epatitis B,C,D and G are transmitted through body fluids such as blood, sweat, semen and saliva. They can therefore be gotten through sexual intercourse with infected persons, transfusion of infected blood, sharing of sharps as seen in drug addicts or needle prick accidents as seen amongst healthcare providers and also from an infected mother to her unborn or breastfeeding baby. How would someone know that they have contacted hepatitis? The infected person will know via its symptoms. These range from minor or no symptoms at all to life-threatening ones. They include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal disturbance or pain, muscle and joint aches, passage of dark-colured urine, yellowness of the skin and sclera, weight loss and, in severe cases, death. What is Candidiasis? Candidiasis is a fungal infection caused by the yeast fungus. The yeast fungus is often found on the skin of most healthy people with no symptoms. However, candidiasis results when there is a break in the body’s natural defence mechanisms leading to overgrowth of the yeast virus. People with compromised immune systems such as those with diabetes, cancers or on prolonged steroid

Ajani

medication are at increased risk of a more severe form of candidiasis. Symptoms of candidiasis reflect the areas of the body affected: vaginal candidiasis causes whitish vaginal discharge, itching and sometimes painful sexual intercourse; oral candidiasis, often called oral thrush commonly affects children causing a whitish covering over the tongue that may bleed if attempted to scrape off, pain while eating or swallowing, itching; candidiasis of the skin causes skin rashes that may be painful and itchy. Rarely, a more severe form of candidiasis called systemic candidiasis affect most organs of the body (oesophagus,stomach,intes tines,lungs,kidneys,liver, spleen) and is seen in immune compromised individuals. This form of candidiasis can be life-threatening. What are these diseases connected with users of second-hand wears?

Vaginal candidiasisis is most easily contacted from second- hand clothes. The reason is second-hand wears as their names imply are not new clothes, they have been used by one or more persons before. Meanwhile in a case where the first user or one of the first users is infected with candidiasis and has contaminated the undies with the yeast fungi, and the new buyer did not take necessary precaution to cater very well for the undies before wearing them, she will definitely be infected. That is why it is important to have these second-hand clothes thoroughly washed with some disinfectants before use if one cannot avoid them totally. Candidiasis of the skin may also be gotten in the same manner. Though less likely if there are no cuts on the skin. Although the discovery is most recent and is yet to be ascertained, if these second-hand wears have body secretions of the infected original owner, and the humidity and general temperature is low, there may be danger in the waiting. Generally, hepatitis viruses hardly survive outside the body for a long while. How dangerous can these infections be on their victims? The dangers involved have been mentioned above and range from minor symptoms to even cancer in the case of hepatitis. In the case of candidiasis, the dangers are often minor albeit discomforting. They could however be lifethreatening if the victims are immune compromised. Is there a cure for both? Candidiasis can be cured using antifungal medication (nystatin) in various forms: powder, cream and lotion. Hepatitis B is best prevented by vaccination, however,there is no vaccine yet for Hepatitis C. Both may be treated with antiviral ribavirin and interferon. Other forms of hepatitis dont have specific cure. People with severe infection require hospital admission and specialist care. What is the percentage of people suffering from hepatitis in Nigeria? The World Health Organisation, (WHO), estimates that about 20 million Nigerians are suffering from Hepatitis B virus and about 5 million die from the consequences. Also, up to 5 million Nigerians are chronically infected with Hepatitis C. What’s your advice to users of second-hand clothes? I will advise them to try as much as possible to desist from wearing them and if they must, they should endeavour to wash them thoroughly and iron before wearing them.

Beware! That Tokunbo may be your death CONTINUED FROM PAGE 36 because he was with the doctor, a very young lady, when the discovery was made. It is not advisable to use second-hand clothes, they are dangerous and belittling,” Ominiyi said. Beyond the risk of contracting diseases, the sale and purchase of “Tokunbo” clothes have given birth to a very big market, thus creating employment for teeming Nigerians who otherwise would have been roaming the streets without a job. From Gatankowa market near Abule Egba area on the outskirt of Lagos to other major areas like Yaba, Ikeja, Oshodi among other places, the mad rush for the materials tells a lot about the economic implication of running away from the products. For traders of second-hand clothes, it is one thriving business that has kept them off the unemployment world. Re-affirming this was Mr Robbert Odeh, a second-hand clothe seller based at the Berger area of Lagos. He said: “I was out of job five years ago. I had a wife and five children to feed apart from my parents

and younger siblings. There was no one to employ me and I was not going to steal for a living. I was introduced to the business of second-hand clothing that same year and I tell you things have been picking up since. From the proceeds of this business, I have

been able to keep my family together. It is only if the government wants us to steal that they should stop us from selling.” Another trader who sells around Cele bus stop at Isolo area said he would remain in the business because of its financial

rewards. “On each bale that we buy, we can make as much as triple the amount we buy. Besides, it is one business that is not boring. It is encouraging because it has a lot of patrons. Many people are buying, both the rich and the poor. Everybody has reasons for doing so and this is good for us. Even if you don’t have a shop, all you need to do is wait till around evening when no law will bind you and patrons are familiar with this arrangement too. They will come around at evenings to patronise you. In short, you don’t have to pay for any shop and yet, you will make your money,” Odeh said. However, Mr Bayo Adele, a business developer at Oba Akran, Ikeja, Lagos believes that given an improved economy, Nigerians would have no need for Tokunbo clothes or materials. “ Without any doubt, it is the poor state of the Nigerian economy that has made so many depend largely on secondhand wears. If the nation’s economy will improve, I tell you not many will go the way of these degrading clothes any longer,” he said.

TOURISM

November 24, 2012

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Olumirin Waterfalls

Seven layers of rocks and seven waterfalls. The water flows majestically among the rocks and splashes down with great force on the vegetation around. Visit Erin-Ijesha (Olumirin) Waterfalls and be spellbound. WALE FOLARIN

isitors to Olumirin Water Falls in Erin-Ijesa, go away not only appreciating the work of nature, but also wondering how Nigeria could possibly be sitting on such a goldmine without making efforts to explore and indeed dig up the gold. Situated within latitude 7°30’ and 8°45’ North and longitude 4°31’ and 5°East, it is one of the very few water bodies where fresh prawns thrive and which has some feel of wildlife. Erin-Ijesa is in Osun State. As part of South Western Nigeria, the area falls within the tropical climatic belt, with alternating hot/dry and a warm humid season. Atmospheric temperatures range slightly from 30 – 34 degree Celsius, while annual rainfall averages 1500cm. Erin Garden is a thick forest, which houses Olumirin Water Falls. The waterfall is 2km off Erin Ijesha town, which is a few kilometres east of Ilesa town on the Ilesa-Akure Road. According to one of the custodians of the waterfall, it was discovered by a woman called Akinla, founder of Erin-Ijesha town and a granddaughter of Oduduwa, the progenitor of the Yoruba race, in the year 1140 AD during the migration of Ife people to ErinIjesa. Legend has it that when it was first discovered, the waterfall had the appearance of a mysterious figure. No one dared move near it for fear of being swallowed up. It was believed to be a living spirit through whose several mouths water gushed out; a very tall and huge spirit whose height reached to the high heavens. The inhabitants therefore named the fall “Olumirin.” They thought this was another god whose power over the whole area was only similar to Akinla, the founder of Erin Ijesha town. According to a tourist who has visited the waterfalls, “it doesn’t look like anything out of this world until you begin climbing the seven levels of the ascending plains of the waterfalls. The view at all the levels is wonderful and the freshness of the water is energizing. However, the last and seventh level is definitely the most intriguing, well that’s if you ever dared the torturous climb.” Olumirin is open to tourists throughout the year and only few visitors can climb beyond the second layer. Another tourist attests to this. “Climbing up to the third level can best be equated to traipsing the snowy steeply Mount Everest. Obviously, being at these different levels and just basking in the invigorating freshness of the falls is an unforgettable

Tourists at the water fall

experience, but guess what? The place to be is definitely the seventh level. Why? Not only does it lie at the peak of the falls, it is also hosts a settlement where many of its inhabitants have lived for several years!”

Still another enraptured tourist could only wax poetic when he was confronted with the sheer splendour of nature at Olumirin. “I could not resist the seduction of this beauty, for Olumirin Water Falls is craft

of supreme architecture. Overcoming my inertia, I plunged deep into the fresh flowing fountain, burying my fears and anxieties in the clear water. This was the first fall. Each fall distinctly marks the mystical propensity of the fountain. Its ability to sieve out the adventurous from the lilly-livered enjoys universal acclaim. “Ascending the first steps that point to the first fall is usually for all. Though its dancing bridge and the mould covered greenish stones leave a bare feet squirming in pain, yet the first fall is all embracing. Like a mother, she opens her bosom for all visitors to the fall to soup from her clear spring. It’s after this that the ascent to the second fall begins. I made it to the second fall. “I had erroneously believed that I had seen the best of Olumirin Water Fall. But I saw nothing in the first fall. The second fall was out of this world. I came to appreciate why I am human, not an animal. My eyes beheld beauty. I saw, touched and tasted beauty. I flew off on the wings of contemplation. As the water like a snake lazily sliced through the heights, it picked up velocity that slapped the flesh, pumping out like an imprisoned rebel through the thickness of the woods. The third fall was something else...” Yet another dazed visitor said, “The breeze at the waterfall is cool and refreshing, the water flows among rocks and splashes down with great force to the evergreen vegetation around. The whole scenery is fascinating and idyllic. The full flow of the waterfall could be seen during the rainy season. The waterfall is used for drinking and as medicine by indigenes and tourists alike.” One of the tourists, Ademola Ojo who spoke with Saturday Mirror on the medicinal potential of the waterfall, said that the water is capable of healing many ailments, depending on the faith of its user. Ojo attests that he has used the water to cure sicknesses such as headache, stomach-ache and skin diseases, and that people indeed come from all over the country to fetch the water which they use for curative purposes. Tunde Omole an indigene of Erin-Ijesa who described Olumirin waterfall as nature’s gift to the community, said that the site has brought a lot of glory to the community, adding that the waterfall has played host to hundreds of people, school children, members of various groups and associations who regularly visit the site on excursion. Omole, however, appealed to the state government to allocate more money for the development of the site, adding that efforts should also be made to ensure that the site is listed among international tourist sites by UNESCO.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

November 24, 2012

hat is the appendix?

The appendix is a closed-ended, narrow tube up to several inches in length that attaches to the cecum (the first part of the colon) like a worm in the abdomen. The open central core of the appendix drains into the cecum. The inner lining of the appendix produces a small amount of mucus that flows through the open central core of the appendix and into the cecum. The wall of the appendix contains lymphatic tissue that is part of the immune system for making antibodies.

What is appendicitis and what causes appendicitis? Appendicitis means inflammation of the appendix. It is thought that appendicitis begins when the opening from the appendix into the cecum becomes blocked. The blockage may be due to a build-up of thick mucus within the appendix or to stool that enters the appendix from the cecum. The mucus or stool hardens, becomes rock-like, and blocks the opening. At other times, it might be that the lymphatic tissue in the appendix swells and blocks the opening. After the blockage occurs, bacteria which normally are found within the appendix begin to invade (infect) the wall of the appendix. The body responds to the invasion by mounting an attack on the bacteria, an attack called inflammation. If the inflammation and infection spread through the wall of the appendix, the appendix can rupture. After rupture, infection can spread throughout the abdomen; however, it usually is confined to a small area surrounding the appendix. Sometimes, the body is successful in containing (â&#x20AC;&#x153;healingâ&#x20AC;?) the appendicitis without surgical treatment if the infection and accompanying inflammation do not spread throughout the abdomen. The inflamma-

Appendicitis tion, pain and symptoms may disappear. This is particularly true in elderly patients and when antibiotics are used. The patients then may come to the doctor long after the episode of appendicitis with a lump or a mass in the right lower abdomen that is due to the scarring that occurs during healing.

What are the complications of appendicitis? The most frequent complication of appendicitis is perforation. Perforation of the appendix can lead to a collection of infected pus or infection of the entire lining of the abdomen and the pelvis. The major reason for appendiceal perforation is delay in diagnosis and treat-

ment. In general, the longer the delay between diagnosis and surgery, the more likely is perforation. A less common complication of appendicitis is blockage or obstruction of the intestine. Blockage occurs when the inflammation surrounding the appendix causes the intestinal muscle to stop working, and this prevents the intestinal contents from passing. If the intestine above the blockage begins to fill with liquid and gas, the abdomen distends and nausea and vomiting may occur. It then may be necessary to drain the contents of the intestine through a tube passed through the nose and oesophagus and into the stomach and intestine. A feared complication of appendicitis is sepsis, a condition in which infecting

bacteria enter the blood and travel to other parts of the body. This is a very serious, even life-threatening complication.

What are the symptoms of appendicitis? The main symptom of appendicitis is abdominal pain. The pain is at first diffuse and poorly localised, that is, not confined to one spot. The pain is so difficult to pinpoint that when asked to point to the area of the pain, most people indicate the location of the pain with a circular motion of their hand around the central part of their abdomen. A second, common, early symptom of appendicitis is loss of appetite which may progress to nausea and even vomiting. Nausea and vomiting also may occur later due to intestinal obstruction. TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK

LETTER I am suffering from depression. Sometimes, if I am walking, it will be as if I am entering inside a hole. I also find it difficult to cross main road. Please how can I get a full self esteem? I am 18 years old. Please help. Chibu----------------Nassarawa State Mirror Doctor replies Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can have a negative effect on a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s thoughts, behaviour, feelings, world view and physical well-being. Depressed people may feel

I have depression sad, anxious, empty, hopeless, worried, helpless, worthless, guilty, irritable, hurt or restless. They may lose interest in activities that once were pleasurable, experience loss of appetite or overeating, have problems concentrating, remembering details, or making decisions and may contemplate or attempt suicide. Insomnia, excessive sleeping, fatigue, loss of energy, or aches, pains or digestive problems that are resistant to treatment may

also be present. Depressed mood is not necessarily a psychiatric disorder. It is a normal reaction to certain life events, a symptom of some medical conditions and a side effect of some medical treatments. Depressed mood is also a primary or associated feature of certain psychiatric syndromes such as clinical depression. Everyone occasionally feels blue or sad. But these feelings are usually short-

lived and pass within a couple of days. When you have depression, it interferes with daily life and causes pain for both you and those who care about you. Depression is a common but serious illness. Many people with a depressive illness never seek treatment. But the majority, even those with the most severe depression, can get better with treatment. Medications, psychotherapies, and other methods can effectively treat people with depression. I am glad you spoke out. My advice is that you should visit a specialist in that field for proper evaluation in any of the tertiary hospitals.

LEISURE

November 24, 2012

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Sport

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

November 24, 2012

Djoliba team looking set to cause an upset in tomorrow’s CAF Confederation Cup second leg final clash against Leopards of Congo Brazzaville. INSET: Al-Hilal’s Narcisse Amia (right) challenging Djoliba AC’s Salif Coulibaly during their CAF Confederation Cup semi-final tie in Omdurman on November 2, 2012.

CAF Confed Cup Final

Leopards favourite to lift trophy against Djoliba SAYO OGUNDEJI

WITH AGENCY REPORTS

C Leopards of Congo Brazzaville have set their sight on the trophy as they play host to Djoliba of Mali tomorrow in the second leg of the final of this year’s Orange CAF Confederation Cup. Djoliba’s hope of ending a 45-year pursuit of Pan-African glory by winning the CAF Confederation Cup suffered a setback in the first leg as they allowed the visitors to draw level few minutes before the end of regulation time of the explosive encounter. AC Leopards became favourites to lift the continental tournament after scoring three minutes from time to hold Djoliba of Mali 2-2 in Bamako in the first

leg. So a win or 1-1 draw by Leopards will secure them the trophy, $660,000 prize money, and a first CAF title for a Congolese club since CARA won the 1974 African Cup of Champions Clubs (now CAF Champions League). Though, the sides know each other well having clashed twice in the group phase with Leopards trouncing Djoliba 3-0 at home in the mini-league phase of the second-tier club competition last month after drawing 1-1 in Bamako and the latest meeting suggests the Congolese have the measure of the Malians. Rochel Kivouri had put Leopards ahead midway through the first half and Alou Bagayoko equalised before half-time by converting a penalty to claim his fourth goal of the competition this season.

Eko 2012: Lagos athletes protest over poor camping allowance P. 43

Bagayoko and Mahamane Cisse wasted chances for Djoliba and Cesaire Gandze squandered a great scoring opportunity for Leopards before Salif Coulibaly nudged the home team ahead 16 minutes from time. But the fighting spirit which has transformed Leopards from the rank of outsiders into title favourites came to the fore again with time ticking away and Heritier Ngouelou levelled to ensure the return leg becomes less stressful. Djoliba made their Pan-African debut in 1967, defeating Guinean club Conakry II before losing to Asante Kotoko of Ghana in a semi-final of the African Cup of Champions Clubs. That is the closest the Malians came to gripping a trophy until this year

Winning Nations Cup is not negotiable, Jonathan tells NFF

P. 44

when they dropped down to the Confederation Cup after losing narrowly to Nigerian side Sunshine Stars in a Champions League final-round qualifier. They pipped 2011 Confederation Cup runners-up, Club Africain from Tunisia in a play-off and topped a group with Leopards second, Wydad Casablanca of Morocco third and another Malian team, Stade Malien, bottom of the table. Tradition is against Djoliba as no Champions League ‘drop out’ has won a final against opponents who came through the qualifying rounds of the Confederation Cup. Leopards can also draw comfort from the fact that the last two winners of the competition, namely, Moroccan clubs FUS Rabat and Moghreb Fes fought their way to glory from the preliminary round of the secondary competition. The Congolese have followed a similar path, eliminating Tempete Mocaf of the Central African Republic, twice title holders CS Sfaxien of Tunisia, Heartland of Nigeria and Moghreb Fes of Morocco to reach the mini-league phase. Both finalists knocked out Sudanese sides in the penultimate stage. Djoliba overcame Al Hilal after a penalty shootout while Leopards held Al Merreikh in Omdurman after taking a narrow first leg advantage.

Hughes sacked as QPR manager

P. 45

SPORT

November 24, 2012

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Eko 2012 and the challenges ahead

he city of Lagos will be agog as the 18th edition of the National Sports Festival (NSF) holds in the state from November 27 to December 9. And as expected, athletes and their officials from the 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, have to converge on the state for the biggest sporting event in the country. Aside the aforementioned, sports fans in Lagos and those from other parts of the country, or in Diaspora will storm ‘Eko 2012’ to savour the good moments the sporting event would bring. According to sport pundits, expectations are very high regarding the quality of organization expected from a state that is regarded as the ‘Centre of Excellence’. Going by records, the NSF has a rich history behind it and it would be worthy at this point to look at this closely to see how far the organizers of the NSF have derailed from the dreams of the founding fathers and how ‘Eko 2012’ would be used to correct the mistakes of the past. In achieving this, a lot of challenges would be faced and solutions could be handy depending on how the Main Organising Committee (MOC) and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of ‘Eko 2012’ would react. From available records, the NSF was conceived as a sociopsychological elixir to bond the decimated psyche of the Nigerian nation which was traumatized by civil war in the late 60s, and after the senseless war, no conscious effort was made by the Federal Government to have

HARD TACKLE Andrew Ekejiuba an all inclusive national multisports competition by way of a festival. Therefore, as a panacea to arrest the drift towards intertribal morass occasioned by the 1967-70 civil war and most essentially, to checkmate the declining standards of Nigerian sports, the Federal Government introduced a biennial multisports competition involving all the then 12 states of the Federation, now commonly referred to as the National Sports Festival (NSF). Perhaps, it could be arguably insinuated that the NSF was one of the bye products of the 3Rs (Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement) enunciated by Gen. Yakubu Gowon, as a way of reuniting the country after the civil war. Actually, the sports festival started in 1973 in Lagos and till date, except in 1983, 1987, 1993 and 1995; the festival has been religiously held biennially as a multi-sports festival. HT discovered from records that the founding fathers of the NSF had the twin objectives of promoting mass participation in amateur sports from the grassroots level throughout the

SPORT NEWS

Eko 2012: Plateau sends forth 399 athletes

he Plateau State Commissioner for Sports Development, James Yakubu, has said that a contingent of 399 athletes and officials would represent the state at the 18th National Sports Festival in Lagos State. Governor Jonah Jang addressed the Team Plateau on Friday in a send-forth ceremony. The Commissioner, who disclosed this in Jos, said the athletes would feature in 23 sports, adding that the state government had provided what would make the athletes comfortable, to enable them perform at their very best at the 12-day fiesta. According to him, government has taken delivery of

sports equipment needed for the festival and has released funds for the payment of athletes’ allowances, as well as their other needs. He announced that a sum of N500, 000 was being set aside as reward for athletes that would win medals. “We have made available N500, 000 as an on-the-spot reward for athletes who will win medals. It is a way of encouraging the athletes toward a resultoriented outing,” he said. Yakubu said the contingent would surpass its 12th position at the 17th edition of the Games, tagged “Garden City Games” in Port Harcourt in 2011.

THE

‘EKO 2012’,

LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT

SHOULD ENDEAVOUR TO DECONGEST

with

anelsports@yahoo.com

IT IS EXPECTED THAT IN

THE ROADS TO AVOID HEAVY TRAFFIC WHICH IS SYNONYMOUS WITH ALL THE MAJOR ROADS IN THE CITY 08023103605

Gov. Fashola

country, with a view to discovering hidden talents and secondly, promoting healthy and keen competition among the competitors and states under a climate of sportsmanship and friendly interaction. In other words, the NSF has become a veritable instrument for national unity, cohesion, peace, mutual understanding, friendship, cross-cultural affiliation as well as other positive values which ‘Eko 2012’ would stand to portray when hostili-

ties begin. Unfortunately, from the foregoing, things have fallen apart in past competitions as the major objectives of staging the sports festival have been bastardised. For example, most host states in the past employed all manner of tactics to win-at-all-cost, which Lagos State must avoid in this 18th edition of the competition. It is also worthy to note that from Imo’98 sports festival to the 17th edition of the competition in Port Harcourt last year, the standard of the opening ceremonies has been on the rise and a delight to watch. In the last edition of the NSF, Rivers State used the best choreographers outside the shores of this country to light up the Garden City in the opening ceremony and set a record which Lagos State must try to beat come November 27. Also, looking closely at the challenges ahead of ‘Eko 2012’, it is worthy to let the organizers and the host state know that the NSF is a media event and as such, every media house in the state must be carried along in terms of making sure they are accredited for the coverage of the sports festival.

Coming to the issue of security and the traffic situation in the state, the Lagos State government may have its hand full in this regard. For example, at Gateway 2006 sports festival, three persons lost their lives which included one athlete, an official and a sport journalist, Fred Agwu, who was knocked down and killed by a hit-and-run driver. Therefore, it is expected that in ‘Eko 2012’, the Lagos State government should endeavour to decongest the roads to avoid heavy traffic which is synonymous with all the major roads in the city and provide adequate medical facilities in all the venues of the competition to checkmate avoidable deaths. The aforementioned are the major challenges the organizers of ‘Eko 2012’ must surmount so as not to face the same dilemma athletes and officials witnessed in the last edition in Port Harcourt as a result of heavy traffic. The traffic jam in Port Harcourt worked against the athletes in terms of meeting up with the time of their events and it is expected that if the same traffic situation is not tackled at ‘Eko 2012’, it might pose a problem to the visiting athletes and their officials.

…DG warns Imo athletes

he Acting Director-General, Imo State Sports Council, Mrs. Chizotam Aritola, has warned athletes in Team Imo to the 18th National Sports Festival to be of good behaviour in Lagos or face appropriate sanctions. Aritola gave the warning on Thursday, at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri, while addressing the contingent before they leave for Lagos today. She said that only the best athletes would represent the state at the fiesta, adding that the athletes selected from the various rural communities had gone through intensive training to enable them acquire more skills in their various sports. Aritola said arrangements had been made for the athletes

Aritola

to proceed to Lagos today, promising that they had trained hard to win laurels at the Games. The director-general said Imo would participate in 21 sports at the NSF and assured the people that the state would be among

the top three at the 12-day fiesta. News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Imo male football team will not participate in the festival, following its elimination during the National Sports Commission’s Zone II qualifiers.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

SPORT

November 24, 2012

EKO 2012 National Sports Festival

Lagos athletes protest over poor camping allowance

A typical Dambe action expected at ‘Eko 2012’.

Kokowa, Dambe venues of traditional sports not ready

ith just three days to the commencement of the 18th National Sports Festival (NSF), the Abalti Barracks venue for Kokowa and Dambe (traditional sports) seems not to be ready. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the development has put the authorities in a quandary of sort. A routine visit to the venue revealed that nothing was on ground to indicate that an event of the magnitude of the NSF was due to take place at the venue. Emmanuel Egenamba, the Technical Director, Traditional Sports Federation of Nigeria, had called

for the fixing of the facility during an inspection tour. The tour which took place under the auspices of the Main Organising Committee on November 9 ratified the Teslim Balogun Sports Bar for Ayo Olopon, while the National Stadium was endorsed for Langa. In the same vein, the venue for Abula at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and the Abalti Barracks for Kokowa and Dambe were also ratified. Egenamba however urged the Local Organising Committee (LOC) to make the Kokowa, Dambe and Abula venues ready before the commencement of the tournament.

BFN secretary reads riot act to athletes IFEANYI EDUZOR

ecretary General of Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Amaechi Akawo says that the Federation will disqualify any player found using performance enhancing drugs during the forthcoming 18th National Sports Festival tagged “Eko 2012. He told our correspondent that officiating officials will ensure fair play throughout the competition, warning that any incriminating act would attract sanctions from the association in line with in-

ternational regulations. “We at the Federation are taking the issue of doping and cheating of any kind serious and will not fail to mete out appropriate sanctions to erring athletes. “Any athlete found to have won a medal illegally would not only have the medal withdrawn but will face other sanctions which might include being banned from participating at the next festival. “We will make sure we apply the rules as is done at the Olympics and the Badminton World Federation because the festival is our own Olympics,” he warned.

agos State athletes for the 18th National Sports Festival on Friday staged a peaceful protest at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere over their request for an increase in their daily camping allowance. The timely intervention of an official, Niran Adeniji, Vice-Chairman of the Technical Committee preparing Team Lagos, for the Games, dissuaded the large number of athletes who had tried to set up barricades at the gates of the stadium. Adeniji tried to calm the frayed nerves of the angry sportsmen and women. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered from the agitated athletes that they wanted their allowance increased from N1,

500 to N3, 000 per athlete, daily, during the closed camping period. It was also gathered that for the festival proper, the athletes wanted the allowance to be increased to N5, 000 daily. They had threatened to boycott the opening ceremony of the festival on Nov. 27, if their demands were not met. Some of the athletes who pleaded anonymity when NAN approached them for comments, said they were paid N1, 500 daily at the camp, whereas at the last festival in Port Harcourt, they got N2, 000 daily. The athletes wondered why the allowance should be reduced, instead of being increased, now that the state was hosting the Games.

Lagos State Commissioner for Sports and Youth development, Enitan Oshodi.

Ogun storm “EKO Osun dreams medals 2012” with 661 strong in football, taekwando, contingents A E deaf sports NDREW

ANDREW EKEJIUBA

eam Osun has expressed the hope and optimism they would exceed its previous performances at the forthcoming 18th National Sports Festival in Lagos tagged ‘Eko 2012’. Osun State Sports Council top official, Akin Adio, said the state athletes who are in camp in Ode-Omu, are in top gear to supersede the state performance at the 17th edition of the Games in Port Harcourt, 2011. “As you are aware, our athletes are in camp in Ode-Omu and I can tell you that they are in top

Journalists’ accreditation cards out on Nov 26

he Lagos State Chapter of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) says accreditation cards for newsmen who will cover the 18th National Sports Festival will be ready on Nov. 26. The Chairman of the chapter, Fred Edoreh, said on Friday in Lagos that journalists should come to the SWAN secretariat to collect their cards.

gear as they have resolved to put in their best for the state to win lots of laurels. “The athletes are preparing very hard to see how we can supersede what we had in Port Harcourt in 2011, and by the grace of God we are yearning to get gold medals in some of the combative sports and individual sports, like athletics, para-athletics, table tennis, para-table tennis, deaf sports, judo, taekwando, wrestling, langa and most especially football,” Adio said. Team Osun won four gold and 13 bronze medals at the 17th edition of the Games in Port Harcourt in 2011.

KEJIUBA

gun State will be represented by 661 strong contingents at the 18th National Sports Festival billed to start on November 27. A statement from the Press Officer of the State Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mr. Rotimi Oduniyi said the contingent will consist of athletes, coaches, organizers, technical and administrative officials. Team Ogun will take part in all the 25 major sports that will be competed for at the festival. They are track and field, football, swimming, boxing, volleyball, Abula, squash, table tennis, tennis, handball, basketball,

judo, taekwondo, wrestling, badminton, chess and cricket. The rest are cycling, gymnastic, traditional sports, hockey, para athletics, deaf athletics, para table tennis, deaf table tennis, power lifting, dambe and kokowa. The contingents will arrive in Lagos tomorrow for the competition. Meanwhile, Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has charged the contingents to do the state proud at the festival. He said the state government has fulfilled its own part of the bargain by preparing the athletes well for the competition and urged item to reciprocate government’s gesture by wining many laurels at the competition.

Ondo squash team vows to rule event

he Ondo State Squash team said on Friday that they will make up for their absence at the 17th National Sports Festival in Port Harcourt in 2011 by winning the 18th edition in Lagos. The team did not qualify for the 17th edition, tagged “Garden City Games”. The state squash coach, Aina Ojo, said in Akure

that his team had all it would take to emerge victorious at the Games. Ojo said that the players had been preparing for the competition all-yearround. “Although we did not enter into camp on time, we have been doing our job since the inception of the year. “We were excluded from

the state contingent to Port Harcourt, last year, but we are fully prepared and ready to make up by winning gold medals at the forthcoming “Eko 2012,” he said. Ojo added that his team had attended competitions like the 4th Governors Open Squash Racket Championships in Lagos, where his U-16 and ladies teams won their categories.

SPORT

Adeoye blames NFF, coaching crew for Falcons AWC flop IFEANYI EDUZOR

ice Chairman of the Nigeria Women League Board, Adebowale Adeoye, has identified appointment of wrong technical officials for the Super Falcons as the major reason why the team failed in the just concluded African Women Championship (AWC) in Equatorial Guinea. The Super Falcons lost by 0-1 to Banyana Banyana of South Africa in the semi-finals of the competition and also lost by the same goal margin to the indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon in the third place match, making it the first time the team failed to play in the finals of the competition since its inception. According to the chairman of NITO Queens Football Club, the failure of the team should be blamed on the technical committee of the NFF because they failed to do the right thing before the commencement of the tournament. “Everything about Falcon’s expedition to the AWC was wrong technically, psychologically and tactically,” he began. “The composition of the technical officials for the team was nothing to write home about and those of us running women football have been vindicated. “The technical committee of NFF took women national teams completely away from women football league board and did not allow us make any input towards appointing technical officials for the team which resulted in the poor performance witnessed in Equatorial Guinea,” he concluded.

November 24, 2012

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Winning Nations Cup is not negotiable, Jonathan tells NFF

resident Goodluck Jonathan has charged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) according to Chief Patrick Ekeji, Director General, National Sports Commission (NSC). In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday Ekeji said, “I’d like to drop a message from Mr. President. It is that the Super Eagles go to South Africa and win the Nations Cup. “How they want to do it is not known, but they should just go and do it,” he said. The DG urged the NFF and the Super Eagles technical team to see the assignment as a call to national duty. “Pressure is part of life. Is it achievable? The answer is yes; so why shouldn’t we aim for the highest prize. “I think they can bring home the

Judo coach wants sports policy to secure future of athletes

ohn Jemide, Head Coach of Judo, Delta Sports Commission, has said the country should initiate a sports policy to guide sportsmen and women as professionals. Jemide said on Friday in Asaba that such policy would secure the welfare of athletes when they retire. According to him, the situation where sportsmen and women are used and dumped afterwards will be taken care of and their future will be secured when they become old. He said that the policy would enable them grow like the civil servants and also provide them with education through scholarships from primary school to the university level.

Abuja Badminton Club targets 2016 Olympics ticket for Nigeria

Jonathan

trophy if they get their act together. They have to know that we want to get back the interest of Nigerians to particularly our football. “The Eagles of our time used to have a lot of followership, I don’t know if I can say that much now. “Nigerians appreciate when

you put in your best and when it doesn’t work out, they appreciate that too, but of course, it will gladden our hearts if they win the cup,” Ekeji added. The 2013 AFCON tournament is scheduled to take place in South Africa from Jan. 19 to Feb. 10.

AFCON: Rufai optimistic of good outing for Eagles IFEANYI EDUZOR

ormer Super Eagles goalkeeper, Peter Rufai has expressed optimism that the Coach Stephen Keshi-tutored side has what it takes to put up a good performance at the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) slated for South Africa. He told our correspondent that although Keshi’s re-building process will be of immense advantage, the coaching crew still has a lot of work to do before the commencement of the championship in January. “I have no doubt in my mind that the Super Eagles will put up a good performance in the 2013 Nations Cup in South Africa. “The re-building process

Rufai

which Coach Stephen Keshi has embarked on is yielding result with the team’s recent performance against Liberia and Venezuela respectively. “Although, one cannot really judge the team’s performance with those two matches, but I

bubakar Isah, chairman of the Abuja Badminton Club, said on Friday that the club has intensified efforts to ensure that the country was well represented at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Isah told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the club would partner with the Nigeria Badminton Federation (NBF) to achieve the objective. He added that the partnership would foster quality competitions to harness budding, talents that could be nurtured to stardom. He added, that playing more tournaments would increase the country’s chances of picking an Olympic ticket. “In fact, our major goal now is to ensure that Nigeria participates in badminton at the next Olympic Games. “We are currently using our personal resources and that of some of our friends to carry out our activities. So, our aim now is to use our little resources and those of our sympathisers; to organise tournaments, then we can attract the big players,” Isah said. The chairman also said that the club had designed a programme which was expected to groom players from the primary to the elite stage. am happy that the Super Eagles has re-discovered their scoring form and Keshi with his experience will assemble a team that would make the country proud in South Africa,” Rufai said. He however refused to predict whether the Super Eagles will lift the trophy for the third time, but advised that what should concern Nigerians now is for the team to qualify from their group which he described as one of the toughest groups in the tournament.

Promasidor bankrolls Lagos-NYSC inter-platoon women volleyball tourney ANDREW EKEJIUBA

romasidor Nigeria Limited, makers of Cowbell Milk, has sponsored the grand finale of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) inter-platoon women volleyball competition held last Thursday at the NYSC Lagos permanent orientation camp. The grand finale of the 2012 Batch ‘C’ inter-platoon women volleyball competition had Platoons 8 and 9 competing for third

place position and Platoon 7 and 10 for first and second place. Besides the sponsorship, the company also rewarded the winners of the volleyball inter-platoon competition with N30, 000, N20, 000 and N10, 000 for the first, second and third positions respectively, amidst several other consolation prizes resulting from the raffle draws such as Cowbell ankara, radio player, standing fan, bucket and Promasidor products. After an interesting game which had the crowd on their feet, platoon

10 carted away the first place prize of N30, 000 and Promasidor products while platoons 7 and 8 emerged second and third respectively. It will be recalled that the company recently donated a volleyball court to the Lagos National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) camp. Speaking on the kind gesture of the company, the Lagos camp Head of sports, Mrs. Yagazie Augustine admitted that Promasidor has always been very supportive of sporting activities in the Lagos camp.

L-R: Head of Sports, NYSC Lagos, Mrs. Yagazie Augustine, Brand Manager Cowbell, Promasidor Nigeria, Mr. Ajiborode Biodun, presenting the first place prize to the captain of Platoon 10 volleyball team, Miss Chioma Onike, Camp Director NYSC Lagos, Mrs Ify Okoli and Deputy Camp Director NYSC Lagos, Mrs. Yetunde Baderinwa at the grand finale of the NYSC inter-platoon women volleyball competition.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

ric Cantona and Ruud van Nistelrooy will be amongst the most notable guests at the unveiling of a statue in honour of Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford. The precise details of the statue are yet to be revealed but Ferguson recently inspected it himself and declared himself satisfied.

ontpellier defender Cyril Jeunechamp has been suspended ‘’until further notice’’ by the Ligue 1 disciplinary commission after punching an L’Equipe reporter last weekend. Jeunechamp, 36, lost his temper with Jose Barroso and called him out of a press conference following Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Valenciennes, after having taken issue with an article written earlier in the week.

Jeunechamp

Simeone delighted by Atletico qualification

tletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone was left satisfied after his team qualified for the knockout stages of the Europa League on Thursday. The reigning champions enjoyed a narrow 1-0 victory over Hapoel Tel Aviv at the Vicente Calderon, with Raul Garcia grabbing the only goal after just seven minutes.

Simeone

Everton step up Forren chase

olde boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has warned Everton that transfer target Vegard Forren will not be sold cheaply in January. Everton are thought to be leading the chase for Forren and Toffees boss David Moyes and his assistant Steve Round watched the centre-back in action on Thursday night in the Europa League clash with FC Copenhagen.

Forren

Hughes sacked as QPR manager

EURO BRIEFS Stars pay tribute to Fergie

Jeunechamp suspended for punching a reporter

SPORT

November 24, 2012

Q Barton

Bad boy Barton set for domestic return

arseille midfielder Joey Barton is set to make his maiden Ligue 1 appearance against Lille tomorrow, following the end of his 12-game ban. Barton, 30, arrived on loan from Queens Park Rangers in the summer carrying the suspension after clashing with Manchester City players on the final day of last season. However, the former Newcastle man has made five appearances for the French club in the Europa League with the ban not extending to European competition. And sporting director Jose Anigo believes his game time in Europe’s second-tier competition means he is more than ready for a return to domestic football. “He is ready and physically well. His state of mind will help us. I’m curious as to what he can do but from what we saw in the European games, he will help us. “He brings creativity to the team. It’s important for us to have players like him. Especially now as we have a limited squad,” Anigo said.

PR have sacked manager Mark Hughes after a run of 12 games without a win this season and has left the club bottom of the Premier League after 10 months in charge. “The circumstances we find ourselves in have left the board of directors with very little choice but to make a change. “This decision has been taken after careful consideration by the board of directors, following numerous meetings over the last few days. “The board of directors wishes to thank Mark for his commitment, hard work and dedication in his 10 months in charge. Mark has shown integrity and professionalism throughout his time,” the club said yesterday. The board will now be working actively to put a new managerial structure in place as soon as possible with Mark Bowen

Spurs attack: Italian duo charged with attempted murder

wo Italians thought to be fans of the AS Roma football team have been charged with attempted murder after a group of Tottenham fans was attacked in Rome. Ten Spurs fans, in town for a match with rival Rome club Lazio, were taken to hospital after Thursday’s attack. One Spurs fan injured in the bar attack - named on social media as Ashley Mills, 25, from Brentwood, Essex - will remain in hospital for a fortnight.

Aguero expects Manchester City to retain EPL title

Media suspicion initially fell on Lazio fans, but this was later questioned. There has been speculation that the attack was carried out by a far right group with anti-Semitic leanings; Tottenham traditionally draw support from north London’s Jewish community. Italian newspaper reports named the two men who have been charged as 26-year-old Francesco Ianari and Mauro Pinnelli, 27, both said to be AS Roma fans.

Redknapp: Benitez needs instant win against City

ergio Aguero is convinced Manchester City are destined to retain their Premier League title. City have not found their form of last season and rival teams have made new signings but Roberto Mancini’s men are still top of the table and Aguero feels that speaks volumes. “I’m sure we will retain our title,” said the 24-year-old forward. “It’s true Chelsea, United, Arsenal and other teams have strengthened their squads intelligently compared with last year. “But we’re the champions and they want to take us on, so it’s to be expected. “It won’t be easy for them as

Hughes

and Eddie Niedzwiecki taking charge for the match away to Manchester United today. QPR chairman Tony Fernandes had continually backed Hughes but appears to have finally run out of patience with the former Wales, Blackburn, and Manchester City boss.

H Aguero

we’re growing as a team and we get to know each other better each time we play. We’re destined to win more trophies and barring any major setbacks we will. “When I first arrived at City after my first game against Swansea, I said I hoped that this was the start of something big. “Our Premier League title showed it possibly was and that we had great things ahead. As I said, I firmly believe the best is yet to come,” he concluded.

arry Redknapp believes new manager Rafael Benitez will quickly win over the Chelsea fans if he steers the Blues to victory over Manchester City tomorrow. Benitez was quickly installed in the Stamford Bridge hotseat after Tuesday’s 3-0 defeat by Juventus spelled the end of Roberto Di Matteo’s reign at Chelsea. The arrival of the Spaniard has not been warmly greeted by Chelsea fans, who remember his fiery clashes with former Blues boss Jose Mourinho during his spell at Liverpool, but Redknapp feels they will forgive and forget if he inspires instant success against City.

Hughes’ final match in charge was a convincing home defeat by fellow strugglers Southampton. The club said that it would make “a further announcement in due course” with former Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp favourite to take charge at Loftus Road.

PREMIERSHIP TABLE TEAM

PTS

1. Man City

2. Man Utd

3. Chelsea

4. West Brom

5. Everton

6. Arsenal

7. West Ham

8. Tottenham

-1

9. Fulham

10. Swansea

11. Liverpool

12. Newcastle

-4

13. Norwich

-9

14. Stoke

-1

15. Sunderland

-2

16. Wigan

-9

17. Reading

-5

18. Aston Villa

-12

19. Southampton

-12

20. QPR

-14

Chelsea have slipped to third in the Premier League table after a run of four games without a win and former Tottenham boss Redknapp knows that Benitez does not have much time to settle in ahead of the crucial top-of-the table clash with the defending champions. “I know Benitez isn’t a popular choice, but the ball’s in his court. “I have always said the punters do not really care who’s in charge, so long as the team is winning and the points are racking up. You could have Saddam Hussein in charge and if results went well they would be chanting his name.

November 24, 2012

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

‘Nigeria needs eco-friendly houses’ Developers of the Palmton Green Villa, the first eco-friendly residential community located in Lagos, Humsford Realties Limited, said real estate done with integrity will greatly reduce Nigeria’s housing and socioeconomic challenges. The company’s Managing Director, Mr. Daniel Iseghohimeh Cole, spoke to some journalists in Lagos on what government needs to do to address the N15 million housing deficit. MESHACK IDEHEN was there.

hy do you believe and advocate that Nigeria should embrace eco friendly building-development practices? In other parts of the world, eco friendly construction has become the practice, which translates to mean, according to evolving turns in global economy, that government and the private sector must partner to harness opportunities in the real estate by adopting global best practices. Do you think Nigeria is ready to adopt methods that make building eco friendly in a way that is sustainable? Technologies are being developed on a daily basis that make not just building, but all aspects of living friendly to the environment. The Ecobeam building technology for example, is a versatile and eco-friendly timber frame building system that involves the construction of structures using Ecobeams as well as Ecobags (sandbags), which research has found out to offers superior benefits when compared to conventional buildings including up to 40 per cent cost savings, bullet proof and earthquake resistant walls, which offer excellent thermal and acoustic properties. More so, it is easy to deploy and allows for rapid construction, which helps deliver additional savings to its users. It is also ideal for the con-

Cole

struction of quality affordable houses in a sustainable way. Your company said it seeks to do real estate with integrity, and that profits should not be the driving force, what is responsible for that type of business approach? Humsford Realties Limited was first incorporated in 2006 as Humsford Investment Limited but did not start development until May 2011 when it changed to Humsford Realties Limited by the Corporate Affairs Commission, under the Companies and Allied Matters 1990, to reflect our core area of business. As a real estate housing development, investment and allied services company, we simply believe we should do real estate differently, reinventing the way real estate business is managed in Nigeria and giving customer service delivery a new outlook. Most importantly however, the company was set up in fulfilment of a divine mandate of providing shelter for families, empowering the people through employment opportunities, putting food on the tables of families and delivering return on investment for our shareholders. Our products are mission critical, so we give our clients the assurance that we shall be there when they need us. What are the new and ongoing

projects that your company is involved in that are geared towards meeting your objective as a real estate developer Humsford Realties is currently engaged with the development of Palmton Green Villa, which is the first ecofriendly residential community located at Alapoti - Agbara 2 Axis, which has easy access to the Light Rail, and 10 lane Lagos-Badagry Expressway. The estate is going to be developed with the health and economics of the investors in mind. Only eco-friendly concepts and materials shall be deployed for the health and safety of all including visitors to the estate. Futhermore, because of our guiding principles and supporting behaviours of our mission as a company, and which flow from our purpose and values, innovation would continually be the cornerstone of our success, because we are conscious of the fact that we want to build a great and enduring company that by virtue of its value, practice, and success will have a tremendous impact on the way companies in around Africa. It is important for stakeholders; by that I mean government and the private sector to understand that the real sector is as old as mankind, and that all through the centuries, the issue of housing and habitation has remained the primary issues that generations have had to deal with.

Can you be more specific concerning areas the sector can contribute to economic growth, especially concerning empowering people and creating employment? Look at the production and distribution of cement from the limestone quarries to the retail outlets and see how cement production alone can get millions of people employed. As production of cement currently stands in the country, demand can barely meet up with supply. The cement industry on its own is based primarily on the fact that the volume of construction work going on in the country is almost totally that of the West African sub region and is enough to create sustainable employment for millions of people the country, particularly the unemployed youth. Then there are architects, engineers, builders and the other involved in construction that will have to be employed or engaged in their numbers. When fully tapped into, the real estate sector, if allowed to rotate on the pivot of integrity, can beat others in making millions of Nigerians gainfully and sustainably employed. How do you think the housing deficit in Nigeria can be addressed? To the best of my knowledge, it is safe to say that there is about a 15 million housing deficit in Nigeria based on the statistics of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, meaning in the first place, that the economy is short by the supposed income accruable from the construction of these numbers of houses. Many workers and individuals want to have their own houses or apartments, but there are great odds against it. Documentation of land is a big challenge that the government must really look into if housing shortage is to be properly addressed. The Land Use Act of 1978, which was created to regulate the acquisition of land because of its importance, should be reviewed. The government should not deregulate other sectors leaving the real estate sector to be strangulated by the Land Use Act. The dearth of housing finance is also a major challenge that developers are grappling with, and it’s a factor that aids housing shortage in the country. In the same vein, real encouragement should be extended to private initiatives rather than overburdening them with taxes, fees and policies that are antidevelopment.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

November 24, 2012

Setting up sanitary pads producing plant Plant and machinery The machines required for this project are simple. In the small-scale level the machines comprise of automatic stitching machine, automatic cutting and binding machine, automatic sealing and packaging machine, measurement rules and inscription machine. The machines can be obtained from some identified companies from Korea, Russia, China and Poland. Details will be given to prospective investors on contacting the writer. The production capacity of the plant is average of 3,500 pieces of sanitary pads/towels per shift of 8 hours. Larger capacity machines can be arranged for in the case of medium or large scale of production.

Production process

ntroduction

The Federal Government announced the 2012 budget its intention to generate over 20 million jobs in the country. This is highly commendable. However, the problem of unemployment is not the sole responsibility of Federal Government. It is the responsibility of everybody. The major responsibility of the government is mainly to provide enabling operating environment for businesses and policies that will encourage establishment of private businesses. The importance of small and medium scale industries/enterprises in employment generation, mitigation of rural-urban drift, enhancement of local technology and increased local production cannot be over emphasised. The experience of developed countries such as the United States, Canada, Britain and newly developing countries like Japan, China, India, South- Korea, Singapore, Taiwan etc speaks for itself. The realisation of the importance and potentiality of the small and medium scale industrial sector has aroused the interest of UN Agencies such as ILO, UNDP and UNIDO to sponsor expert studies in Africa which strongly recommended the development of small and medium scale industries as the major meaningful creation of more employment and national development. Therefore all hands should be on deck to support the government and the society by establishing one small or medium scale manufacturing industry that will em-

ploy a few unemployed youths. One of the projects we recommend to you is the establishment of sanitary pads production plant. Sanitary pads and towels are daily consumables in every home. The patronage of these products is fast gaining currency especially among the urban elite. Mainly the housewives, spinsters and bachelors use the products. Nursing mothers are in love of sanitary towels and pads. Ladies are also in good use of them. Any prospective investor in this area will not regret investing into this. However, there is need to be as professional as possible. The writer will guide prospective investors in setting up this project from feasibility studies, site planning, procurement and installation of machines, development of marketing strategies and recruitment of experienced manpower to manage the project for profit. Please call 08034494437, 08023664368, 017349363 for detail discussion. Despite the increasing demand for the product the supply is not encouraging. There are very few producers in Nigeria and more producers are required to produce either in small; medium or large scale. In this brief profile the writer manufacturing/ industrial projects consultant discussed on how to set up and manage this profit earning and viable project in Nigeria.

Market analysis Sanitary pads/towels as stated above have wide applications in the homes,

offices, fast food centres, restaurants to mention but a few. Women use the product, sanitary pad, extensively. There is a large market for the consumption of sanitary pads. From preliminary studies carried out; there are only two major products in the market at the moment. This is not enough for a large populated nation like Nigeria with a population figure of about 150 million people. Therefore with very good marketing plans and strategies there is no doubt that any new comer will always create a favourable marketing niche for their products. Apart from selling within the country, producers have the opportunity of selling across the borders of the country to other African countries. Detailed marketing strategies for easy penetration into the market will be given to prospective investors.

Raw material application The major raw material is the cotton lint. This is a raw material processed and obtained from cotton. The raw material usually comes in looms, usually light in weight and whitish in colour. The raw materials are locally available and can be purchased from few textile companies or some identified dealers on the material across the country. Details will be given to prospective investors on contacting the writer. From our study, raw material is not going to impose any serious problem to prospective investors.

The production process is mechanised as briefly described as follows: The cotton lint is purchased from recommended textile companies within and outside Nigeria. The rolls are fixed in the automatic cutting machine. The cutting is neatly done according to dimensions, which could be determined whether small, medium or large size is to be produced. Then the cut rolls are sealed and stitched by the automatic stitching machines. The stitched whitish sanitary pads/ towels are then sealed with in scripted polyethylene bags and sealed finally for sales.

Packaging The sanitary pads/ towels are packed in six to 12 pieces per packet depending on the size of envisaged products. The product should be packed with quality and attractive nylon or polyethylene material. The products should be covered to avoid water from easily penetrating into the contents. For the sanitary towels a pack of 12 pieces measuring between 3ft x 4ft and 4ft-5ft can be packed in dozens per roll for sale.

Other factors to be considered The project can be located in any part of the country, provided adequate considerations have been made in terms of nearness to raw materials, regular power supply, and labour requirements. Details will be established when discussed with prospective investors. Nearness to market is also very important.

Courtesy: Uba Godwin, u b a g o dw i n @ ya h o o . com

November 24, 2012

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

Piggery business is profitable but time consuming FUNMI SALOME JOHNSON

hose who don’t like pigs need to be educated on the advantages of promoting pig production for the local and international markets in order to enhance its contribution to the Nigerian economy. Just like having a poultry farm, piggery also requires a lot of space and even more capital to grow well Toying Bakare, who has been into the business of piggery for over 15 years, explained. Bakare, a mother of two and a diploma holder from the Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, noted that “having a pig farm costs quite a lot and requires a lot of time especially at the initial stage. However, after much ado, the business could become very worthwhile as it is a very lucrative one. ‘Although for some reasons, some people detest pork, others find it very tasty and could make different delicacies with it just like you could with any other meat” Bakare recalls that she started off with just one pig and over time, she was able to buy more and the initial one started producing more calves. “When I started 15 years ago, I

ALTHOUGH THE BUSINESS HAS BEEN ON FOR QUITE SOME TIME, YET THERE ARE STILL NO STRUCTURES ON GROUND LIKE THERE ARE FOR COW MEAT had only had about N10, 000 to start with and that could only get me one pig and the feeds as well as other logistics. I was fortunate because I live in a house of my own and I had enough space to operate without having to pay for it. Starting off a business venture like that today could cost between N800, 000 to N1 million because things are now more expensive. Considering the need for space, if you do not have a space of your own, you will need a space to operate and that could be very challenging because not all landlords would allow their houses to be used for such purposes” she noted. However, she said that there is no business without its challenges and those for piggery faced include lack of capital, high cost of transportation, lack of standardisation, lack of functional abattoirs and lack of storage facilities.

All these have to do with the need to provide adequate market infrastructural facilities which Toyin says are not yet in place. “Although the business has been on for quite some time, yet there are still no structures on ground like there are for cow meat. No proper storage facility, transportation is another major challenge, standardisation of the product is also not there and the adequate infrastructural facilities are also lacking. Getting loan to commence and expand the business is another major challenge too” enthused Toyin. However, Bakarefurther noted that the business is a very lucrative one and that the advent of technology has made it a lot easier and better. You have different types of feed for the livestock. Such as crop residues, kitchen wastes, and agro-industrial by-products, which have limited alternative use. But to her, the problem militating against increasing pig production can best be addressed by the government. If the government put in place policies that would facilitate a close interaction between pig farmers, private sector, initiatives and marketers in order to sustain and expand the industry, the industry would be better off. She disclosed that the business is all year round but with more sales during festive periods.

Bakare

She further stated that piggery farm business is one that requires a lot of time and attention just like most other livestock businesses. “If you are the type that has little or no time, then piggery business may not be the one for you, unless you have someone trusted that could fill the vacuum in your absence,” Bakare noted. “The business is not also for people who are in a hurry to get back their returns because it is not a business that yields interest immediately; it takes time because this involves the success of the livestock. It is a natural process, not one that could be hastened by anyone; you just have to give it the needed time” advised Bakare. On whom the prospective clients or customers are, Toyin responded; “men women, young and old alike are customers. All manner of people buy pork. Although some because of personal or religious reasons don’t eat pork, others who do, patronise us. Some buy and sell on retail”

Crime Watch Crime Watch

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

November 24, 2012

P. 51

How police recovered business man’s N.27m

BRIEFS

Fayemi’s convoy bursts robbery operation z Rescues 500 motorists

ecurity operatives attached to the Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, yesterday morning overpowered an armed robbery gang operating along Enugu-Awka Expressway and rescued over 500 stranded commuters. According to a statement by Olayinka Oyebode, Chief Press Secretary to Fayemi, the armed robbers laid a siege to the route, five kilometres away from Aniocha village, and had dispossessed many motorists of their belongings. Upon surrendering their belongings to the robbers, vehicles owners and their passengers had reportedly abandoned their vehicles and run for cover before the governor’s convoy got to the scene at 10:20a.m. An exchange of fire soon ensued between the bandits and the security personnel of the governor. In the end, the robbers fled. After dislodging the gang, Oyebode said the governor’s convoy then led all the stranded commuters and motorists out of the area.

Robbers raid Kano cattle market, kill policeman, others AUGUSTINE MADU-WEST KANO

are devil armed robbers, yesterday in Wudil, Kano State invaded the popular Friday Cattle Market, killing a police officer and two vigilance group members. Although, the robbers did not succeed in their mission, on arrival at the market, according to our source, they shot sporadically into the air to scare away the traders and intruders, all of whom scampered for safety. In the ensuing confusion, the armed gang gunned down one police officer and two members of a vigilance group, as well as injuring two other police officers, including one Vigilance group member. It was also learnt that every Friday, security operatives were deployed to the market to provide security to buyers and sellers in the ever busy market, which is about 50 kilometres away from Kano, the state capital. Contacted, the State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Idris, who confirmed the incident, said that the robbers did not succeed in their operation, as his men repelled them, pointing out that his men are already on the trail of the fleeing robbers.

xxxxx

‘Blame poverty-stricken background for my crime’ Yunusa Haruna is 30 years old and an official of the Nigeria Prisons Service. At least, on the outside. But unknown to may, he also leads a car snatching syndicate that is the terror of the northern part of the country. SEGUN ADIO

s a growing child in Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State, Yunusa Haruna, had a penchant for seeing that armed robbers are not only apprehended, but made to face the full wrath of the law. Raised under a strict Islamic culture, Yunusa’s disdain for criminals was discovered early in life by his parents and when, upon leaving school, he opted to be enlisted into the Nigeria Prisons Service, no one in the family was surprised by his chosen career. Upon enlistment, Yunusa, 30, was seconded to Argungu Prisons Headquarters, in Kebbi State. He soon settled down well into his chosen profession. Ironically, barely three years after his enlistment, Yunusa, is on his way to becoming an inmate in the same establishment he serves. For reasons still unknown, Yunusa soon teamed up with a notorious inter-state gang of armed robbers to subject innocent citizens to untold hardship. Apparently from his romance with criminals in his office, Yunusa soon began to lead the robbery gang who reportedly specialises in snatching exotic cars from their owners at gun point. Since he is still a serving Prisons officer, Yunusa did not go too far from his base to perpetrate his crime. It is reported that Yunusa met his gang at a hideout in Argungu town once he closed from work every day ostensibly to perfect their strategy for their next plan of action. Yunusa’s gang thus operated within Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.

Investigations revealed that the gang had, in the last few months, seized several exotic cars from their owners, at gun point, and subsequently worked on the vehicles and had them shipped to other parts of the country at give-away prices. Assistant Inspector General of Police Muhammed Abubakar, AIG Zone 10 of the Nigeria Police Force, had, upon his assumption of office, vowed to address the incessant reported cases of car snatching. He had promised to work in concert with other security agencies in the zone to achieve this feat. But unknown to him, a uniformed personnel in the zone is the kingpin of one of the car snatching syndicates. To bring an end to the crime in the Zone, AIG Abubakar had set up an anti-robbery squad outfit which area of responsibilities covers the three states in question. The outfit soon set machinery in motion to bust the car snatching syndicate. The anti-robbery outfit recorded a breakthrough in their search for the criminals on Wednesday, 10 October, 2012. In the wee hours of that day, the zonal anti-robbery outfit got a distress call from a member of the public in the town reporting a suspicious movement at an abandoned housing unit project in the metropolis. The tip-off had also claimed the movement of massive items reported to be moved into one of the abandoned houses. The antirobbery gang soon set out to engage the said criminals. With the exchange of fire with the notorious elements, the anti-robbery outfit successfully repelled the onslaught of the criminals and at the end of the day, three other members of the gang were arrested along with Yunusa. Those arrested were Saiba Aliyu, 30, Musa Salihu Kamba, 50, and Musa Sulaiman, 39, all residents of Sokoto metropolis. After the invasion of the criminals’ hideout, four suspected stolen vehicles were also recovered from them. The vehicles recovered include two Toyota Co-

rolla and one green colour Honda Civic car, with Engine No. D15B2-692111 and Chassis JHMET 865005223481. The two recovered Toyota Corolla cars are; one red coloured, with Engine No. 3ESHU16-06AA1321 and Chassis No. JT154EEA100122293; while the second one is also red in colour and with Engine No. 925 yp16-0140150 and Chassis no. JT 152EEA100024848. One Honda ‘End of Discussion’ car, reported to have been snatched at gun point in Wuse 2 Abuja, was equally recovered from the criminals. The car carries a LAGOS registration number AR 526 KJA. Apparently in a bid to fool policemen, the gang had pasted stickers of M.K. Motors on the stolen vehicles. It is also reported that all the arrested suspects are now in custody for thorough investigation, and that they have made confessional statements to the law enforcement agents mentioning the degree of their involvements. In his confession, Yunusa claimed that he was lured into the crime by the desperation to make it big in life and also to raise enough money to cater for his family. “It is not right that I have been caught in an act such as this. This is the result of my desire to be rich as a child that grew from abject poverty. I have regretted my actions now and vowed never to go back into it if given the second chance,” Yunusa said. Speaking to reporters, Deputy Superintendent of Police Lawal Abdullahi, the Deputy Zonal Public Relations Officer, Zone 10 Headquarters, Sokoto, claimed that the arrested criminals are currently assisting law enforcement officers in their investigations into the crimes levelled against them. “I can tell you that criminals have no hiding place again in this Zone. It has been long that this gang had been terrorising residents of the states by snatching their vehicles and dispossessing them of their valuables too. But they have met their waterloo now and we can begin to enjoy peace in the three states,” Abdullahi said.

Do you have a story for us? Contact 08138773277 or crimewatchmirror@yahoo.com

CRIME WATCH

November 24, 2012

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Bubble bursts for courier who hides heroin in TV transformers To the casual observer, Raphael Tony Akachi is a serious business man who deals in television transformers and shuttles between China and Nigeria. Yes, he is a business man if you can call a drug courier by that appelation. SEGUN ADIO

His seized car

Heroin hidden inside TV transformers

y Christmas of this year, Raphael Tony Akachi would have achieved his life time ambition of getting married to the Chinese woman he loved. Arrangements are almost concluded for the wedding ceremony between Akachi and his Chinese fiancée. Akachi, an indigene of Anambra State, is a 1998 graduate of Anarul Islam College, Agege, Lagos State. Upon his graduation, Akachi, 30, never bothered to seek higher education but set his sights on travelling out of the country to seek greener pastures. He eventually got headway some six years ago. He has since been living there. It was reported that Akachi’s stay in China was also made easier by a Chinese woman he met while still trying to get residential permit papers. The Chinese lady had come in handy and got Akachi his papers. Akachi thus felt he owed the Chinese spinster a lot in life. He believed that the best way to repay the lady’s gesture was to take her to the altar which was already slated for Christmas period of this year. But living in China’s capital city and maintaining a Chinese lady alongside was not going to be a child’s play. It requires a lot of money to carry on with both, no doubt. Unfortunately, Akachi’s resources could not match his expenses. He soon got alternative means of making money to particularly marry his Chinese fiancée. No sooner had Akachi settled down in the Asian nation than he was introduced to a drug trafficking syndicate. Akachi’s role in the syndicate was to shop for Pakistani rand of heroine, ship them into Nigeria and from there package them for the Chinese market. The China syndicate always takes delivery

of Akachi’s consignments upon their arrival in the Asian nation. This trade makes Akachi, who now lives at Amuwo-Odofin area of Lagos State to shuttle between Nigeria and China on monthly basis. His recent stay in Nigeria is also said to be for the final wedding arrangement he was making in the country. Akachi rather than swallow or conceal the drugs in his luggage, chose to hide the substance inside the numerous small Television transformers. He would later tell airport security that he was going to China to order for a large quantity of the transformers and that he needed to take the ones with him to the manufacturers as samples. He uses his Amuwo-Odofin home as factory for his act. Some watchful neighbours had informed the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) operatives of Akachi’s dubious trade. A thorough surveillance was thus conducted on his house. Convinced that

Akachi

Akachi was yet at advanced stage of exporting another round of drugs to his Chinese syndicate, NDLEA operatives swooped on Akachi’s house on Wednesday, 21 November, 2012 in a commandolike operation. During the operation, heroin weighing 29.4 grammes were found inside numerous small Television transformers in the apartment. Akachi’s Liberty Jeep, which he had planned to give his Chinese wife when she comes calling into Nigeria, was also seized during the raid, while and investigation is still on-going. Confessing to his crime, Akachi re-

portedly claimed he is not a greedy drug courier. Akachi argued that he should not be treated like a normal drug courier as he only traffic “small quantities of drug” which he claimed made him different from other couriers. “I take my time in concealing small quantities of Pakistani heroin in television transformers and fix them back into the power packs. I regret my action because it shows that crime will always lead to shame. I pray that my Chinese fiancé will understand and find a place in her heart to forgive me,” Akachi said in tears. NDLEA Lagos commander, Aliyu Sule, claimed that Akachi is an experienced hand in illicit drug trade. According to Sule, “we were lucky to have raided his apartment while he was processing the drugs for export. The weight of the heroin he had packaged into the television transformers is 29.4 grammes.” In his own reaction to Akachi’s arrest, Chairman of the NDLEA, Alhaji Ahmadu Giade said, “the suspect looks simple but his mode of operation is sophisticated. The Agency will dislodge drug traffickers irrespective of their mode of operation. Those trafficking in grammes and in tons are all enemies of the State.”

Man docked for allegedly assaulting LASTMA official

34-year-old man, Taiwo Agaba, who allegedly assaulted a LASTMA official and hindered him from the performance of his duty, was on Thursday charged before a Somolu Magistrates’ Court in Lagos. Agaba, who resides at No. 34 Abeokuta, St., Bariga, is facing a one-count charge of assault. The prosecutor, Akinlebi Adegoke, told the court that the accused, on 19 November, 2012, at 11p.m., physically assaulted one Jimoh Amowo, a LASTMA official, while he was lawfully performing his duty. Adegoke said that Amowo was attempt-

ing to tow a vehicle which had broken down along Temple Road, Bariga, when Agaba allegedly assaulted him. According to him, the accused challenged Amowo and tried to prevent him from towing the vehicle which the owner had placed under his care. Adegoke said that when the LASTMA official insisted on enforcing the law, the accused descended on him; striking him with blows to the face and body. The prosecutor said the offence committed contravened Section 172 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State 2011. However, Agaba pleaded not guilty

to the charge when it was read to him. The magistrate, Mrs Bola Osunsanmi, granted the accused bail in the sum of N50, 000 with one surety in like sum and adjourned the case to December 5 for trial Similarly, a 26-year-old man, Jeremiah Effiong, was arraigned for allegedly assaulting the daughter of his landlord. Effiong, a trader, who resides at No.6, Ugbejiaki St.,Mende, Maryland is facing a one count charge of assault. Adegoke told the court that the accused committed the offence on Nov. 20 at his residence.

Crime Extra

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

November 24, 2012

SEGUN ADIO

kinlawon, a Lagos-based business man, never knew what hit him at the Iyana-Ipaja motor park of the megacity. Nevertheless, he quickly surrendered all his possession to the men of the underworld that made the demand. Was that the end of the matter? Asis Adewale is currently in police net for allegedly dispossessing a man of N270,000 and some other personal belongings. Adewale, 29, had allegedly disposed one Akinlawon, a Lagos-based businessman of the money. Akinlawon is a constant traveller who goes to buy his wares once in two weeks. He is not a fan of the modern day e-banking system where money could be shipped to any destination without actually carrying it. In doing that, Akinlawon reportedly uses his suitcase which he would carry in his hand to wherever he wanted to go for his business. But on Thursday, November 1, 2012, Akinlawon was again billed to leave the state for his usual business trips. The suitcase on his hand that day contained the sum of N270, 000 which he planned to buy his wares. As usual of him, Akinlawon reportedly left his Ayobo area of Lagos State-home around 5:30a.m with the large money in the suitcase in his hand. By 6:00a.m, he was already at the popular and ever-busy Iyana-Ipaja Bus Stop waiting to catch another bus to Oshodi area of the state. Iyana-Ipaja bus stop is one of the numerous motor parks in the Centre of Excellence where a detachment of antiriot policemen is permanently stationed ostensibly to curb incessant inter-union squabbles and other vices associated with such volatile areas. While waiting for bus at the bus stop, Adewale and two other people at large reportedly walked close to Akinlawon, pretending to want to board bus with the businessman. Just as Adewale and his partners-in-crime felt they were safe to carry out their heinous crime, Adewale moved closer to Akinlawon and allegedly whispered into his ears to surrender the suitcase in his hand. Also, Akinlawon’s mobile phone and some personal belongings were also seized from him by the thief. Upon seizing the items, Adewale reportedly barked that Akinlwon take to his heels or he would be shot. Akinlawon

How police recovered business man’s N.27m had initially thought it was a joke, but the reality soon dawned on him when the suspected thief reportedly brought out an object and hit him with it. Akinlawon immediately surrendered the suitcase he was carrying and fled. Lucky enough, some of the policemen under not too far away, who apparently had noticed the suspicious movement of Adewale, saw the way the thief snatched the suitcase from its owner. The law enforcement agents immediately raced to the spot. Before Adewale could jump over the street barriers at the middle of the road, he was apprehended by two of the policemen.

The suspected thief was then brought to where Akinlawon was. When the businessman was able to identify his suitcase, the policemen reportedly handed it over to Akinlawon and other items Adewale had seized from him. Akinlawon immediately boarded a bus to his destination while Adewale was detained and later taken to custody by the policemen. Confessing to his crime, Adewale, who begged the law enforcement agents to forgive him, claimed that poverty and the need to set up his wife’s business pushed him into the crime. “It is not that I wanted to go into this but it is frustration that led me into it. I

needed to change our house and also reestablish my wife in her business,” Adewale said. One of the policemen who arrested Adewale, but who preferred anonymity said: “That day, we were observing people as they moved by as is always the case every morning because Iyana-Ipaja is usually a busy place. As the thief was standing close to the man (Akinlawon), we suspected that he meant harm and we started observing him until we saw him snatch the bag from him. That was when we ran after him and caught him before he could cross the road,” the police said.

Man, 45, docked for criminal breach of trust, forgery

he police on Friday arraigned a 45-year-old man, Ibrahim Saleh, of plot 225, Gado Nasko road, Kubwa, Abuja, before a Karu Chief Magistrates’ Court for alleged criminal breach of trust and cheating. The accused was also charged with forgery. Police prosecutor, Sgt. Abiola Oyewusi, told the court that one Patrick Nwaka of Gwarimpa Estate, Abuja, lodged the complaint at the FCT Police Command. Oyewusi said in June, 2011, the accused collected N8.4 million from the complainant with the intention of selling a plot of

land to him. ``The accused went as far as forging land documents of offer of statutory Right of Occupancy which he claimed was issued to him by the Abuja Geography Information System (AGIS). ``He converted the said money to his personal needs and absconded to an unknown destination. ``Further investigations revealed that the accused fraudulently used the forged documents which he claimed was issued to him by AGIS to defraud the complainant,’’ Oyewusi said.

According to Oyewusi, the accused refused to refund the money. The prosecutor said the offence was contrary to Sections 312, 322, 364 and 366 of the Penal Code. The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge. Counsel to the accused, Tope Festus, applied for bail for his client, quoting Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended. Oyewusi, however, objected to the bail application, saying that investigations were still in progress. He added that the accused would tamper with police inves-

tigations if released. ``The accused was granted bail sometime last year and he jumped bail for over a year until the police arrested the person that stood as surety for him. ``The police later traced the accused through his mobile phone which he used to threaten the complainant to ask the police to stop going after him or he would kill him. ``Considering the money involved in this matter, I urge the court to still retain him in prison custody to enable the police to carry out their investigation properly,’’ he said.

November 24, 2012

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

REGIONAL NEWS

November 24, 2012

NORTH

Borno budgets N9.4b to renovate schools INUSA NDAHI MAIDUGURI

orno State government says it will earmarked N9.4 billion to rehabilitate and complete renovation works on 21 secondary schools across the state. The state’s Commissioner of Education, Alhaji Inuwa Musa Kubo disclosed this during a chat with journalists in Maiduguri. Kubo claimed that the effort of the state government has become inevitable in the face of the need to provide enabling environment for both teachers and their students in the state. The commissioner spoke yesterday at the ministerial briefing on the performance of his ministry and other educational activities in the last 18 months at the

Musa Usman Secretariat complex, Maiduguri. He said the commitments of Governor Kashim Shettima on the rehabilitation of secondary schools and teachers’ colleges was to completely rehabilitate and rebuilt all the structures of affected schools in three senatorial districts north, central and south of Borno state. The commissioner, however, noted that development of the state or community has to come first through the provision of “qualitative and functional” education that could stand the test of time and dynamics of Nigerian society. In the ords of Kubo, “Out of the 21 schools being renovated by the state government, southern Borno district took the lion’s share of reno-

Police arraign man over attempt to kill Suswam HENRY IYORKASE MAKURDI

olice in Benue State have dragged one Wer Yima of Tse Yima Agba, Mbangul in Vandeikya Local Government Area of the state before a Chief Magistrate Court in Makurdi for allegedly attempting to assassinate Governor Gabriel Suswam. Yima, was alleged

to have, on 30 October, 2012, forced his way in the direction of the governor at the palace of the Ter Kunav in Vandeikya where the governor was paying homage to the monarch before he was arrested. Yima was reported to be armed with a locally made pistol and dressed in a military uniform. First Information Report (FIR) revealed that Yima was alleged

vating nine schools at the total cost of N3.64 billion.

While north senatorial district has seven schools to be renovated at N2.77

MINNA

iger Pilgrims Welfare Commission has reiterated its commitment to providing better services to pilgrims of the state during Hajj operations, the state chairman, Alhaji Manman Mohammed, has said. Mohammed, who stated this on arrival at the Minna International Airport with the last batch

of 228 pilgrims from Wushishi Local Government Area and officials of the commission, said as part of measures to ensure improved services to the pilgrims, assessment of the 2012 Haji operations has started. To achieve this objective, Mohammed explained that the commission would give prominence to the training of the pilgrims by engaging the services of experts to teach them on

four schools in central senatorial district of the state,” he said.

L-R: Bauchi State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sani Malami; Governor Isa Yuguda; Commissioner for Land and Survey, Alhaji Aminu Hammayo, and Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Tasiu Mohammed ,during the inauguration of Tambari Housing Estate in Bauchi, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

to have trespassed into the palace of the Ter Kunav before the Special Anti Robbery Squad SARS intercepted and stalled his intended action. The SARS squad led by Sgt. Tor Geri reportedly arrested the suspect after which he was taken to the state Criminal Investigation Department, CID for further interrogation. With suit number MCM/101/12 charged before the court with offences of conspiracy, wearing dress used by public servants and unlawful possession of firearms, criminal

trespass and attempt to commit culpable homicide, the magistrate, Mrs. Theresa Wergba did not take any plea for want of jurisdiction. When the case came up the prosecution counsel, Insp. Terzungwe Kajo told the court that investigation was still in progress and applied for a date to enable him to conclude investigation. The Magistrate adjourned the case to December 7, for further hearing. The suspect has been remanded at the Medium Prison in Makurdi.

Niger pilgrims commission reiterates commitment to better services PRISCILLA DENNIS

billion. A total of N1.99 billion was also expended on the renovations of

their religious responsibility. Mohammed, however, revealed that one pilgrim from Lavun Local Government Area of the state died during the operation and was buried in Mecca in accordance to Islamic injunctions and another, Alhaji Ibrahim Abubakar, from Suleja Local Government Area had to stay back for medical treatment. Mohammed also said

that when the Islamic cleric attends the pilgrimage with them, the pilgrim’s religious requirements will be quickly attended to as observed in the 2012 operation. According to him, any preacher appointed to instruct the pilgrims will automatically be part of the Hajj operation in order to further cement the relationship between the pilgrims and their teacher.

Saraki: Mark, Senate delegation visit family WOLE ADEDEJI ILORIN

wo delegations from the Nigerian Senate were in the Ilorin home of late Dr. Olusola Saraki yesterday to commiserate with his family. The first group was led by the Senate President, David Mark, who claimed he came in his personal capacity. Mark was on his way to Rome, Italy when he stopped over at the Kwara State capital to commiserate with the Saraki family. Shortly after Mark’s departure, another delegation from the Upper Chamber, led by Senator Ndoma Egba came calling. Mark, who paid glowing tributes to Saraki described the late Second Republic Senate Leader as a bridge builder whose lifestyle was a close up between Muslims and Christians as well as politicians of different ideologies because of his politics of consensus. He asserted that Saraki was “a brother, our friend, who is not dead because his legacies live on.” He added: “Dr Olusola Saraki was not a pretend-

er. He did all he did naturally. He lived naturally, the number of the people he brought up in politics and other fields of life that he did naturally. I am here to tell Kwarans not to mourn too much. The legacy he left behind has made him a son of Nigeria. The number of people who troop to this place (Saraki’s house) to pay you (his family) condolence visits is a testimony to this,” Mark said. Other senators on the delegation of Ndoma Egba were Senators Bernabas Gemade; Buka Abba Ibrahim; Chris Anyanwu; Ganiyu Solomon; Olubunmi Adekunle; James Manager and Aloysius Ogbu. Responding, Senator Bukola Saraki who told the Senate President to also see himself as chief mourner because according to him, Mark is at present a leader of the North Central which the late Saraki lived and died for. He regarded the visit as “a great upliftment to the family”. Senator Saraki thanked the Senate President and the entire Upper chamber for the honour done the late Senate leader, the family and the people of Kwara State in general.

REGIONAL NEWS

November 24, 2012

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

NORTH

Bichi sectarian crisis: Kano police confirm 2 dead, 7 churches razed AUGUSTINE MADU-WEST KANO

ano State Police Command, yesterday, cleared the air over the casualty figures in the raging sectarian violence in Bichi Local Government Area of Kano State. In a statement, signed by the Kano state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Magaji Musa Majia, said that two people were killed during the disturbances while seven Churches, eight shops, and one residential building were set ablaze. This laid to rest the rumours making the rounds that four people were killed in the violence. The Command also confirmed that two people were injured, while a total of 22 suspects have so far been arrested in connection with the sectarian crisis, which

L-R: Acting Pro-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU); Alhaji Mohammed Abdullahi Dewu; Vice-Chacellor, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha and Chancellor, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar iii, Sultan Of Sokoto, during the golden jubilee convocation of ABU in Zaria, yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

resulted in the temporary closure of the road, which links Kano to Katsina In a statement, signed by Majia, copy of which was made available to

our correspondent, he explained that crisis erupted, when an Igbo man was accused of blasphemy. Based on the accusation, according to the Po-

lice imagemaker, some disgruntled and unpatriotic elements embarked on a protest, which later spread to so many areas of the town.

The 10 earlier arrested suspects, according to the police spokesman, led to the nabbing of additional 12, bringing the total number of those held

to 22, adding that normalcy has already been restored at Bichi town, while the public are going about their normal business without hindrance as security patrol has been intensified in the area. The Command, he assured will not relent in its efforts to probe the root cause of the disturbances, stressing that whoever is involved will be arrested and made to face the wrath of the Law. The Command therefore urged people to continue to live in peace, with one another, as well as respect each other’s way of life. It should be recalled that on Thursday, November 22, 2012, there was a bloody clash between a group of Muslim faithful and a tailor, whom they accused of making blasphemous statement against Prophet Mohammed.

Benue LG poll: 20, 000 security personnel deployed HENRY IYORKASE MAKURDI

t least 20,000 security personnel have been deployed in the 23 local gov-

ernment areas of Benue State to beef up security during the local government elections scheduled for today. Chairman of the Benue State Independent

Electoral Commission (BSIEC), Prof. Philip Ahire, said that efforts had been made to make the local council polls hitch free. Ahire, in a chat with

Gombe awards N30b road contract in 2 years

ombe State government has awarded contract for the construction of 52 roads at a cost of N30 billion in almost two years, Commissioner of Works and Infrastructure, Alhaji Shehu Hadi said this yesterday. Addressing newsmen in Akko Local Giovernmentr Area, Hadi said the projects comprised the 52 township roads in Gombe, rural roads in the local government areas and the inter-township roads in the three senatorial zones. His words, ``These projects include the N6.3 billion road contract from Kanawa-Deba-Jegali-Jauro and the settlement of the projects we

inherited from the last administration which is in the region of over N1 billion”, he said. He said N19 billion had been paid to the contractors handling the projects. Hadi said the roads had opened up most of the rural areas as people now found it easy to transport their farm produce to the markets. According to him, the massive provision of roads and infrastructure has also led to an increase in socio-economic activities within and outside the state. ``Before now, if you know this area, Tukulma, it is an agricultural environment because around Tukulma there is

a wetland. ``They are into irrigation farming and most of their produce remains within their immediate environment; because of lack of access to other markets. The commissioner commended the contractors for executing the projects to specification, adding that most variations were at the instance of the government which wanted to extend the scope of some projects. Hadi had earlier led the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Rev. Habu Dawaki and other top government officials of the ministry on a tour of road projects in the state.

journalists, promised that the election umpire would conduct a peaceful and credible election in the state. He also said that adequate security personnel had been provided for the polls. Meanwhile allegations of invasion of hired militias from the neighbouring states have height-

ened preparatory to the council polls. Fear has gripped the people of the state over the rumour that political thugs have taken over the control of some flash points ahead of the election. Many residents claimed that their morale has been dampened following the strange dis-

covery. Reacting to the rumour, spokesman for Benue State Police Command, Daniel Ezeala, said his men would deal decisively with anyone caught fomenting trouble during the elections warning that no one would be spared no matter whose ox is gored.

Kebbi N40.6m outstanding school fees

ebbi State government yesterday announced the release of N40.6 million for the payment of outstanding scholarship allowances and registration fees for indigent students of the state origin in tertiary institutions in the country. The Executive Secretary, Kebbi Scholarship Board, Alhaji Murtala Yauri, made this known in an interview with reporters in Birnin Kebbi. Yauri said the amount was for tuition, registra-

tion fees, and scholarship allowances. He said that payment of allowances would be through individual students’ bank accounts for students studying at Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto; Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto; Waziri Umaru Federal Polytechnic, Birnin Kebbi; and Adamu Augie College of Education, Argungu. Yauri further said that payment of any outstanding fees would

be made after determining the amount from the concerned institutions. He said the state government had in the last two years expanded the scope of the scholarship to include students undergoing training in mono-technique and other higher institutions. He called on the students to study hard and excel in their studies to justify the resources expended on them in line with government’s policy of free education at all levels.

Saturday Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

November 24, 2012

Gaza crisis: Palestinian ‘shot dead near border’ A Palestinian man has been shot dead by Israeli soldiers close to the Gaza border, Palestinian officials say. It is the first reported killing since the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel came into force on Wednesday evening. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it fired warning shots at a group walking towards the border fence, then fired at their legs when they did not respond. Earlier, Israel said it

had arrested several people over a bus bomb in Tel Aviv on Wednesday. The blast, which injured 29 people, came hours before the ceasefire began and was the first such attack in Tel Aviv for more than six years. The shooting on Friday, east of Khan Younis, reportedly happened around the no-go area surrounding the Gaza border fence. A man in his 20s, named as Anwar Qdeih, was killed and at least 10 other people injured, said the

health ministry in Gaza. A relative of Mr Qdeih told Reuters news agency that he had been trying to place a Hamas flag on the fence. The army fired into the air three times before he was shot in the head, the relative said. Israel said a group of about 300 people had approached the fence and that some had attempted to break through. The soldiers shot at their legs after warning shots were ignored, the IDF said.

Following the incident, IDF spokeswoman Avital Leibovich tweeted: “Trying to breach Gaza fence in order to enter Israel is breaking ceasefire.” Hamas officials said the shooting was an Israeli violation of the Egyptianbrokered ceasefire. Hamas “will raise this violation with Egyptian mediators to make sure that it does not happen again”, spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri told AFP news agency. Palestinian Foreign

Minister Riad Malki also said it was “a clear violation of the agreement and should not be repeated”. Israel launched its offensive in Gaza - which it says was aimed at ending rocket fire from Palestinian militants - with the killing of a Hamas military leader last week. Provisional UN figures say that 158 people were killed in the Gaza Strip during the violence. Four Israeli civilians and two soldiers were killed - the second of the military casualties died of his wounds on Thursday. Under the truce deal, Israel has agreed to end all hostilities and targeted killings of militants, while all Palestinian factions will have to stop firing rockets into Israel and staging border attacks. Details regarding the border region, which is regularly patrolled by the Israeli military, have yet to be worked out.

The Hamas Prime Minister in Gaza, Ismail Haniya, has urged Gazans to respect the truce. The BBC’s Jon Donnison in Gaza says shootings near the border happen fairly often and do not always lead to an escalation of violence. Israel has unilaterally declared a 300m-wide exclusion zone around the fence which it says is needed for security but which Palestinians say steals valuable farming land. How far this latest clash goes will depend largely on how Hamas chooses to respond, our correspondent adds - it is a reminder, though, that the ceasefire is very fragile. Earlier on Friday, Israel’s security agency Shin Bet said in a statement that the arrests relating to the bus bomb had happened “a few hours after the attack”, AFP news agency reported.

EU budget summit ends without deal

Two people died and more than 80 were hurt when at least 140 vehicles collided on a Texas highway in dense fog, leaving trucks twisted on top of each other and authorities rushing to pull survivors from the wreckage. The crash happened on Interstate 10 about 128 kilometres east of Houston. The highway had been crowded with motorists travelling over the Thanksgiving holiday.

Lei Zhengfu: China sacks ‘sex tape’ Chongqing official

district Communist Party official in south-west China has been sacked after apparently featuring in a sex video exposed by microbloggers. Screenshots purporting to be from video of Lei Zhengfu having sex with his mistress were published on Tuesday. Mr Lei, a party chief in the city of Chongqing, is reported to have said that the video is a fake.

The case highlights the growing influence of China’s microbloggers in pursuing local officials. Correspondents say that the Communist Party has stepped up its drive against corruption and official impropriety amid rising public anger at abuses of power. It is unclear who made the video and how it emerged. A Chinese journalist, named as Ji Xuguang, posted the images

on Tuesday. He said that the video was made in 2007 and identified Mr Lei as the man in the photos having “improper sexual relations” with an 18-year-old “mistress” . Mr Lei was sacked after an investigation by local party officials concluded that the man in the pictures was indeed him. A statement on Friday said a further investigation into Mr Lei would

take place. The sacking was one of the most popular subjects on weibo, China’s Twitterlike microblogging site. In September, a safety official in Shaanxi province was sacked following a public outcry after images of him grinning at the scene of a fatal bus crash were posted online. Outrage grew when Chinese ‘netizens’ found images of him wearing luxury watches.

Pussy Riot woman moved to solitary cell over tensions

ailed member of Russian punk band Pussy Riot, Maria Alyokhina, has been transferred to solitary confinement because of tensions with other inmates. She was moved to the cell of the Berezniki penal colony, east of Moscow, after refusing to join a hunger strike by other prisoners, her lawyer said. The singer was jailed for two years in August for performing a crude anti-

Kremlin song in Moscow’s cathedral. Another band member, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova is also in jail. The court’s decision to sentence the women to two years each in remote prisons in eastern Russia was widely condemned. Alyokhina, 24, was sent to a prison colony near the city of Perm, while Tolokonnikova is serving her sentence in Mordovia. Alyokhina was moved to

the solitary cell after other inmates started behaving aggressively towards her, Tolokonnikova’s husband Petr Verzilov quoted Alyokhina’s lawyer as saying. He said the prison authorities had suggested the transfer and Alyokhina had agreed. The cell is located in the so-called “punishment block” of the prison, but Alyokhina was not being kept in “the punishment mode”, he added.

Earlier, a prison service spokeswoman said: “Some tensions arose in relationships and, apparently, to prevent this situation from escalating, she decided to submit a request to the prison leadership and they moved her to a one-person cell.” It was not immediately clear why other inmates at the Bereziniki penal colony, some 715 miles (1,150km) north-east of Moscow, were planning to stage a hunger strike.

he Brussels summit on the EU budget has ended without agreement. EU leaders are taking a short break before returning to draft a statement on when to meet and what to do next. News conferences are expected later on Friday, sources at the summit say. Hours of talks on the 2014-2020 budget failed to bridge big gaps between the richer countries and those whose economies

rely most on EU funding. The UK said current EU spending levels must be frozen. The EU’s government grouping, the European Council, believes it may still reach a deal early in the new year, the BBC’s Chris Morris reports from Brussels. But it is hard to see how that may happen because the divisions are very clear and have become even more stark at a time of economic crisi.

India girl ‘shot by urinating man’ in Delhi

teenage girl in the Indian capital Delhi has been shot dead by a man after she objected to him urinating near the gate of her family home, police said. The man, who lived in the same building, also shot at and injured the girl’s mother in the incident in the Nizamuddin area, police said. The police said they were looking for the man, who apparently fled the scene. Yusra Khan, 17, also known as Binoo, and her mother Sadmani, 40, came across the man on Thursday, police said.

“The two families live in the same building. The girl and her mother objected to the man urinating near the gate of the house. This led to an argument between the two sides,” senior Delhi police official Ajay Chaudhary told BBC Hindi. “The man went back into the house saying ‘I’ll see you’ and came back to the girl’s apartment with a pistol and shot them. The girl is dead and her mother is injured.’’ Mr Chaudhary said the police has not yet found any evidence of “any other dispute” between the man and the girl’s family.

Quote

the

day

Whatever affects Nigeria affects the entire West Africa and beyond whether positively or otherwise and I think this is without any doubt whatsoever. We in Ghana believe that any threat to stability in Nigeria poses a threat to us and others. Professor Kofi Nyedivu Awoonor, Chairman, Ghana’s Council of State.

Saturday, November 24, 2012. www.nationalmirroronline.net

Issues and solutions for the Bottom Billion

our Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to share with you my thoughts on this very critical matter and I sincerely hope that my contributions on this issue will add something to the debate about what globalization and poverty mean to all of us, not just to those of us identified as the bottom billion in the developed, developing and least developed world. I note with a deep sense of respect and admiration the consistent efforts made by many of us here today and in particular the Sasakawa Peace Foundation and Forum 2000 to facilitate discussions on ways and possible solutions to improve the lot of humanity generally in one way or the other, but the lot of the poor in particular. In the last thirty years or so, I have seen at first hand the efforts of Sasakawa in the field of agriculture in Africa through Sasakawa Global 2000, now Sasakawa Africa Association. In the same vein, I also feel the need to once again raise my hand in salute to Vaclav for the things he did and what he tried to show the rest of us when he was alive and what he tried to achieve working with many organizations, individuals and institutions like Sasakawa

with President Olusegun Obasanjo hexcellency2011@yahoo.com

Foundation, when they had the time and the opportunity. Indeed our meeting here is essentially part of the product of that opportunity and may Havel’s spirit and legacy continue to live on. I want to begin my presentation by going back a bit into history to establish some of the trends and thoughts I think should be of interest to us as a people and as humanity. About the mid 1950s when the process of decolonization in parts of Africa was taking sway, it was the belief of the developed world – which also probably informed with the Marshall plan for war

torn Europe - that by transferring some resources in the form of Official Development Assistance to the newly independent states, progress can be made generally in the growth of the economy and the enhancement of prosperity for the newly independent people of Africa region and other regions. Emphasis was placed on aid and unfortunately to the neglect of the other ingredients that make for development. Initially, the decades when aid was provided showed some movement in the achievement of its stated goals and objectives of economic growth and enhancement

SPORT EXTRA

CAF unveils shortlists for Player of the Year 2012

he Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Friday unveiled the shortlists for the 2012 Player of the Year and 2012 Player of the Year (based in Africa). The shortlists were unveiled at a ceremony in the Ghanaian capital, Accra, attended by CAF Executive Committee member Kwesi Nyantakyi and officials from Globacom, sponsors of the annual event that seeks to reward distinguished footballers for their exploits during the year under review. There were five nominees for the Player of the Year and three for the Player of the Year (based in Africa), which were reached after votes from the Head Coaches or Technical Directors of the National Associations affiliated to CAF. The process began with a selection of pool of players by the Football, Media

and Technical Committees of CAF taking into consideration the performance of the players this year. The shortlists for the 2012 CAF Player of the Year include, Alexander Song (Cameroun and Barcelona), Andre Ayew (Ghana and Olympique Marseille, Demba Ba (Senegal and Newcastle United), Didier Drogba (Cote d’Ivoire and Shanghai Shenhua)and Yaya Toure (Cote d’Ivoire and Manchester City) For the 2012 CAF Player of the Year (based in Africa), the shortlists are Mohamed Aboutreika (Egypt and Al-Ahly), Rainford Kalaba (Zambia and TP Mazembe) and Stoppila Sunzu (Zambia and TP Mazembe) The winners will be named at the Awards Gala to be held on December 20 Cameroun and Barcelona star Alexander at the Banquet Hall, State House, Accra, Song among the nominees for the 2012 CAF Ghana. Player of the Year Award.

of prosperity. As a result, international organizations and the international community started to encourage along with aid, policies like the “import substitution strategy” - which was a policy of producing what was then referred to as CKDs or Completely Knocked Down and or Partially Knocked Down or PKD industrial components for the assembly lines in the newly independent countries but the components were products of the industrialized and developed world. It was thought that industrialization could be pursued in such a way that local people could gain capacity and earn subsistence wages by putting together this CKDs and PKDs on their own in assemblies built for them. The strategies worked immediately by enhancing the production and manufacturing component in the West in the form of massive production of the CKDs and PKDs shipped to be reassembled in Africa. One of the major problems is that, it failed with the slightest shock or jolt in the availability of foreign exchange to maintain regular supply for the assembly lines. The jolt came with the oil shock of 1973.

TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK

PREMIERSHIP FIXTURES Today’s Matches Sunderland v West Brom 12:45 Everton v Norwich 15:00 Manchester United v QPR 15:00 Stoke v Fulham 15:00 Wigan v Reading 15:00 Aston Villa v Arsenal 17:30

Sunday, November 25, 2012 Swansea v Liverpool 13:30 Southampton v Newcastle 15:00 Chelsea v Manchester City 16:00 Tottenham v West Ham 16:00

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